Amateur-built PULSAR III accident near Hurricane, Utah, May 29, 2015
On May 29, 2015 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 2008 amateur-built PULSAR III, registered N747N, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Hurricane, Utah (General Dick Stout Field). 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
An elevated oil temperature and subsequent total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2015 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hurricane, Utah · General Dick Stout Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PULSAR III, built 2008
- Registration
- N747N · no longer on the register · serial 573
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that the purpose of the flight was to evaluate the effect of airstream cooling on the engine oil temperature once the airplane reached level flight. He stated that departure, climb, and level-off were uneventful; however, while maneuvering, the oil temperature began to increase. A descent did not mitigate the increase in oil temperature, and the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine; when it did not respond, he began a right turn toward the departure runway. The airplane touched down short of the runway and collided with a fence. The pilot sustained a serious head injury and did not recall anything after the turn toward the airport. The experimental engine was not made available for examination after the accident, and the reason for the elevated oil temperature and subsequent loss of engine power was not determined.
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 engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Eng oil sys (airframe furnish) › Temperature › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: sport pilot
- Flight time: 988 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 932 as pilot in command; 52 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 19, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 21, 2014; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,269 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aeromaxx BB420 H (piston); 10 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1L8 Hurricane UT at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 1L8 Hurricane UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 3,282 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from KAZC, 17 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.