Amateur-built Hornet accident near Newberg, Oregon, June 26, 2003
On June 26, 2003 at about 9:38 pm local time, a amateur-built Hornet, registered N1424, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newberg, Oregon (Chehalem Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Aircraft control not maintained while maneuvering for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2003 · about 9:38 pm local time
- Place
- Newberg, Oregon · Chehalem Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Hornet
- Registration
- N1424 · no longer on the register · serial 00025
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness to the accident reported that the pilot of the accident airplane made numerous high-speed taxi runs prior to the accident flight. After completing the taxi maneuvers, the pilot told the witness he was apprehensive about trying to fly the airplane on account of localized gusty winds. After talking to the witness, the pilot taxied back to the runway and resumed the taxi tests. The witness reported that after completing a number of passes down the runway, he observed the airplane takeoff. He reported that the airplane appeared to be porpoising as it ascended over the runway. Additional witnesses reported that they observed the airplane in a climbing right turn over the airport. The airplane climbed to about 200-300 above ground level (AGL) and appeared to be in a modified downwind for runway 25. The witnesses reported that as the pilot turned from right base to final, the airplane abruptly pitched nose down (approximately 60 degrees). The witnesses reported that the airplane momentarily returned to a level flight attitude, but pitched down a second time just before impacting terrain in a nose low attitude. Maintenance records indicated that the airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate, experimental category, on April 23, 2003. The accident flight was the airplanes first flight subsequent to receiving the airworthiness certificate. Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.
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: 2,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 22, 2002; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Hirth 2706 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 17S Newberg OR at 9:30 pm
- Destination: 17S
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 2,300 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 am from KUAO, 13 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.