Amateur-built EAA-3 and amateur-built UNKNOWN mid-air collision near Middletown, Ohio, July 19, 1994
On July 19, 1994, 2 aircraft, amateur-built EAA-3 (N63EA) and amateur-built UNKNOWN (UNREG), were involved in a mid-air collision near Middletown, Ohio (Hook Field Municipal Arpt). 1 person was killed; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Inadequate visual lookout by both pilots which resulted in a mid-air collsion. A factor was the failure of the pilot of the ultralight to stay north of runway 26.
Inadequate visual lookout by both pilots which resulted in a mid-air collision. A factor was the failure of the pilot of the ultralight to stay north of runway 26.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 1994
- Place
- Middletown, Ohio · Hook Field Municipal Arpt · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Amateur-built EAA-3
- Registration
- N63EA · registry record · serial 13132-2
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built UNKNOWN
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built EAA-3 final · quoted from the NTSB record
A GYROCOPTER AND ULTRALIGHT COLLIDED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO DIFFERENT RUNWAYS. THE GYROCOPTER WAS ON FINAL FOR RUNWAY 23 WHEN IT WAS STRUCK FROM THE LEFT SIDE BY THE ULTRALIGHT WHICH HAD CROSSED THE FINAL FOR RUNWAY 23 AND THEN TURNED BACK TOWARD FINAL FOR RUNWAY 26. WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED, THE GYROCOPTER WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER AND IN FRONT OF THE ULTRALIGHT. THE ULTRALIGHT DESCENDED AND CRASHED. THE PILOT OF THE GYROCOPTER MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE GRASS BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY. BOTH PILOTS KEPT THEIR AIRCRAFT AT THE AIRPORT AND WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY, RUNWAYS 23 AND 26 HAVE RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERNS. IN ADDITION, THE ULTRALIGHTS WERE NOT TO FLY SOUTH OF RUNWAY 26.
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 NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built UNKNOWN final · quoted from the NTSB record
A GYROCOPTER AND ULTRALIGHT COLLIDED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO DIFFERENT RUNWAYS. THE GYROCOPTER WAS ON FINAL FOR RUNWAY 23 WHEN IT WAS STRUCK FROM THE LEFT SIDE BY THE ULTRALIGHT WHICH HAD CROSSED THE FINAL FOR RUNWAY 23 AND THEN TURNED BACK TOWARD FINAL FOR RUNWAY 26. WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED, THE GYROCOPTER WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER AND IN FRONT OF THE ULTRALIGHT. THE ULTRALIGHT DESCENDED AND CRASHED. THE PILOT OF THE GYROCOPTER MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE GRASS BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY. BOTH PILOTS KEPT THEIR AIRCRAFT AT THE AIRPORT AND WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY, RUNWAYS 23 AND 26 HAVE RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERNS. IN ADDITION, THE ULTRALIGHTS WERE NOT TO FLY SOUTH OF RUNWAY 26.
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 for the amateur-built EAA-3 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 1,650 hours in all; 65 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 1,650 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 663 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 1994; 8 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 652CC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MWO
- Destination: MWO OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 6,100 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built UNKNOWN from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 200 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MWO
- Destination: MWO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,984 ft by 300 ft
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.