Avid Aircraft Mark IV Aerobat accident near Niceville, Florida, June 9, 2008
On June 9, 2008 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Avid Aircraft Mark IV Aerobat, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N652DM, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Niceville, Florida (Ruckle Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control during landing for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2008 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Niceville, Florida · Ruckle Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Avid Aircraft Mark IV Aerobat, amateur-built
- Registration
- N652DM · no longer on the register · serial 1108D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A mechanic observed the accident pilot working on the amateur-built accident airplane the day before the accident. The pilot reported that an M8 Allen screw, which was part of the reduction gearbox, had become loose and that he was repairing it. Once the repair was made, the pilot was going to fly the airplane, but remain in the airport traffic pattern. The mechanic observed the airplane depart, but did not observe the airplane's return. An eyewitness, on a road parallel to the runway, observed the airplane flying "just above the tree tops" on the downwind leg for the south runway. She saw it turn onto the base leg and then onto the final leg, but lost sight of the airplane when it descended below the tree tops. She then heard the airplane impact the ground. The eyewitness added that the airplane did not appear "to be out of control." Examination of the airframe and engine, including the M8 Allen screw, did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, and fuel was observed in the right wing fuel tank. The leading edge of the left wing was bent aft from the spanwise midpoint to the wingtip. The propeller blades exhibited damage consistent with rotation.
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 in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,528 hours in all; 525 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 5,498 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 8, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 507 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 29, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FL17 Niceville FL at 3:30 pm
- Destination: FL17
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,300 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from DTS, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.