Amateur-built Dragonfly B accident near Buckley, Washington, July 19, 2018
On July 19, 2018 at about 9:20 pm local time, a 1998 amateur-built Dragonfly B, registered N7008Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Buckley, Washington (Burnett Landing airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2018 · about 9:20 pm local time · cases in 2018
- Place
- Buckley, Washington · Burnett Landing · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Dragonfly B 046, built 1998
- Registration
- N7008Z · registry record · serial 046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot noted no anomalies during the preflight, engine start, or runup inspections. However, shortly after takeoff, while on the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a clearing and deployed the airplane’s parachute system. The airplane impacted a tree just prior to landing. A visual examination of the engine at the accident site revealed no obvious holes in the engine case, and fuel was observed leaking from the fuel pump and fuel filter. Further examination of the fuel pump and fuel filter revealed no mechanical anomalies. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 19,004 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 130 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 10,000 as pilot in command; 3,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 18, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 635 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 4, 2018; 180 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 926 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 638 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 pm from KPLU, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPLU 192115Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM OVC035 19/10 A3020 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 5, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Summary of Findings FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N7008Z the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N7008Z on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Rotax 582 62 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Burnett Landing Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Washington 2,713 since 1982 · 361 in the last ten years
- Washington 10,664 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N7008Z 2 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR18LA204.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.