Amateur-built GENESIS accident near Laurel, Maryland, January 5, 2008
On January 5, 2008 at about 9:15 pm local time, a amateur-built GENESIS, registered N969PZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Laurel, Maryland (Suburban Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The reason for this occurrence was undetermined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 5, 2008 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Laurel, Maryland · Suburban Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GENESIS
- Registration
- N969PZ · no longer on the register · serial 083
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built Genesis was built by the pilot, who was conducting its first test flight. After a normal takeoff, the airplane rolled sharply to the left, at an altitude of about 400 to 500 feet. The pilot momentarily regained control, before losing control again. The pilot deployed the airplane's parachute system and the airplane subsequently impacted trees, before coming to rest on the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or other evidence to explain the loss of control. The airplane had been operated for 5.2 total hours. Its airworthiness certificate was issued about 7 months prior to the accident. During the subsequent months, the airplane became airborne several times during taxi tests without any controllability problems.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 137 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 90 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 24, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 29, 2007; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912S (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W18 Laurel MD at 9:15 pm
- Destination: W18 Laurel MD
- Runway 21, 2,324 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 9:21 pm from FME, 3 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.