Amateur-built KSE5A accident near Sedona, Arizona, October 7, 2002
On October 7, 2002 at about 3:30 pm local time, a amateur-built KSE5A, registered N589D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sedona, Arizona (Sedona airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to compensate for the wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. A contributing factor was the pilot's incorrect installation of the left wheel, which resulted in a locked left wheel when the brakes were applied.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 2002 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sedona, Arizona · Sedona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KSE5A
- Registration
- N589D · no longer on the register · serial F8005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff, the pilot applied full power about 150 feet down the runway. The amateur-built airplane veered left and proceeded off the runway. The pilot stated that as the airplane veered off the runway, he applied brakes and felt the left wheel lock. The pilot reduced the power, but the airplane continued for about 100 feet until it encountered a ditch. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Winds at the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot/builder attributed the accident to his improper installation of a motorcycle wheel, which resulted in the airplane's left wheel locking after he applied the brakes.
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: 9,346 hours in all; 2,561 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 7, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,561 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2002; 161 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,128 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSEZ Sedona AZ at 3:30 pm
- Destination: KE76 Rimrock AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 5,132 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KPRC, 33 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.