Amateur-built TopDog Ultralight accident near Creswell, Oregon, May 12, 2019
On May 12, 2019 at about 3:30 am local time, a amateur-built TopDog Ultralight (weight-shift aircraft), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Creswell, Oregon (Hobby Field). 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 non-certificated pilot's loss of control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was his lack of training in the aircraft and his impairment from illicit drugs.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 2019 · about 3:30 am local time
- Place
- Creswell, Oregon · Hobby Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built TopDog Ultralight
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial 0
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot departed in his unregistered experimental weight-shift-control light-sport aircraft. While approaching the runway to land, the aircraft entered a steep, descending left turn, the wing impacted a tree, and the aircraft subsequently impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude. The pilot had no flight training or experience with weight-shift-control aircraft. Examination of the flight controls and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight. Toxicology of the pilot revealed the presence of methamphetamine, with blood levels consistent with recent, recreational use. It is likely that the pilot was significantly impaired by the effects of the drug and that this contributed to the loss of control.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 77S Creswell OR at 3:28 am
- Destination: 77S Creswell OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 3,102 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 am from KEUG, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on September 29, 2021. 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 | Electronic Device and Video - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Attachment 1 to Electronic Device and Video - Specialist's Factual Report - Shelf Item | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Records of Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Examination Notes | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Autopsy Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Reports | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Accident Video | video | 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 UNREG 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.