Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser accident near Arlington, Washington, May 14, 2011
On May 14, 2011 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser, registered N282SC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Arlington, Washington (Arlington 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
The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the takeoff climb, which resulted in a stall at low altitude and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired performance from over-the-counter medications.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2011 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Arlington, Washington · Arlington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser · all Sportcruisers on the register
- Registration
- N282SC · registry record · serial 06SC006
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness reported that he saw the airplane take off and noted that, from its liftoff point, about 3,800 feet of runway remained. The airplane was 50 to 75 feet above the ground and was oscillating. Although the engine sounded very smooth, it did not sound as if it was running at takeoff rpm. The airplane then pitched up and down several times, rolled left, stalled, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Oxazepam (a prescription benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, muscle spasm, and insomnia) was found in the pilot's blood; however, the amount of oxazepam found was unlikely to have affected his performance. The amount of Benadryl (a nonprescription sedating antihistamine) found in the pilot's blood was in the therapeutic range, suggesting recent use. Diphenhydramine has been found to cause more performance degradation in therapeutic doses than a low dose of alcohol. It is likely that the diphenhydramine impaired the pilot's performance and contributed to the accident.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 579 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Highlight Sport LLC
The flight
- Departed from: AWO Arlington WA at 11:00 pm
- Destination: AWO Arlington WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 5,332 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from KAWO
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.
Other NTSB records under N282SC the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.