Amateur-built LANCAIR ES accident near Youngstown, Ohio, June 8, 2026
On June 8, 2026 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built LANCAIR ES, registered N398S, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Youngstown, Ohio (Youngstown Elser Metro Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an approach lighting system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2026 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Youngstown, Ohio · Youngstown Elser Metro Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LANCAIR ES NO SERIES, built 2010
- Registration
- N398S · registry record · serial ESP 212-12
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after performing an engine run-up with no anomalies noted, he taxied the airplane onto the runway and turned left to align with the runway centerline. He increased engine power and began the takeoff roll, but the airplane suddenly pulled left. He attempted to correct with full right rudder and brake pedal input; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, traveled on grass, and struck a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light, before coming to rest upright. Following the accident, the pilot stated that the left main landing gear tire had failed and was deflated, but did not otherwise report that there were any other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage during the accident. The left main landing gear’s brake operated normally, the associated wheel fairing was damaged, and the tire was flat. Skid marks in the grass were present along the airplane’s path of travel through the grass beyond the concrete pad, but not before, consistent with the tire going flat after collision with the pad and not before. Additionally, prior to the concrete pad of the VASI light, all three landing gear tire impressions were present in the grass, with the nose landing gear impression closer to the right landing gear impression, consistent with a right yaw or crab during the runway excursion.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,013 hours in all; 66 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 2,013 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 31, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,792 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 29, 2025; 82 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO-550-E (piston); 1,792 hours total
The flight
- Destination: LUG Ellington TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 4,012 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from UCP, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KUCP 081656Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 29/14 A3017
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Photographs from the investigation 9 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 3 – Right Main Landing Gear Separated Fairing
Photograph 4 – Landing Gear Grass Impressions Toward VASI Light
Photograph 5 – Left Main Landing Gear Grass Impression Toward VASI Light
Photograph 6 – Left Main Landing Grass Impression And Contact With VASI Light
Photograph 7 – Left Main Landing Gear Rim Damage And Deflated Tire
Photograph 8 – Composite Left Wing Damage
Photograph 9 – Underside View of Composite Left Wing DamageThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on August 10, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 10 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.