Amateur-built SIDEWINDER accident near Cincinnati, Ohio, April 15, 2000
On April 15, 2000 at about 6:15 pm local time, a amateur-built SIDEWINDER, registered N13545, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cincinnati, Ohio (Lunken 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
A partial power loss for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 15, 2000 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Cincinnati, Ohio · Lunken Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SIDEWINDER
- Registration
- N13545 · no longer on the register · serial 210270
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot aborted his first takeoff attempt due to 'engine problems.' He taxied back to the ramp and inspected the brakes, fuel, oil, and the engine. About 15 minutes later, after he could not find any anomalies, he attempted a second takeoff. During the second takeoff, about 200 feet in the air, the engine lost partial power and the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot did not know the flight time, or date of manufacture of the accident engine. He purchased the airplane in 1984 without any records on the engine. According to the engine manufacturer, it was originally produced as a ground power unit for the military, and not certificated for aircraft use. Specifically, the FAA noted that pistons, piston rings, and the connecting rod assembly were ineligible for use in certificated engines. Examination of the engine by a FAA inspector did not reveal the cause of the partial power loss.
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: 128 hours in all; 124 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 105 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 270 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 6, 1999; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LUK at 6:15 pm
- Destination: FFT Frankfort KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21L, 6,101 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:57 pm from LUK
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.