Amateur-built SE-1 accident near Tucson, Arizona, July 13, 2002
On July 13, 2002 at about 1:43 pm local time, a amateur-built SE-1, registered N2018S, was destroyed in an accident near Tucson, Arizona (Ryan Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2002 · about 1:43 pm local time
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona · Ryan Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SE-1
- Registration
- N2018S · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental amateur-built airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff. The private pilot was attempting his third flight test after obtaining a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the airplane. The engine had a history of oil temperature and oil pressure problems that the owner was attempting to fix. After departure, the pilot radioed tower personnel that he had an engine problem and was going to attempt to land on the highway. A post crash fire consumed the airplane. No maintenance records for the airplane were found, no records for the pilot were provided, and the cause of the engine problem could not be determined.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 100 hours in all; 2 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Toyota/Auto MR 2 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: RYN Tucson AZ
- Destination: RYN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from TUS, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.