Havoc Air Racing Super GT 111 accident near Reno, Nevada, September 9, 2019
On September 9, 2019 at about 11:20 pm local time, a 2019 Havoc Air Racing Super GT 111, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N400MC, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Reno, Nevada (Reno/Stead Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the landing gear to extend for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 2019 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · Reno/Stead Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Havoc Air Racing Super GT 111, built 2019, amateur-built
- Registration
- N400MC · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was participating in an air racing event. He reported that, after finishing qualification laps, he lowered the landing gear in preparation for landing, but the left main gear unsafe light illuminated. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem but was unable to fully extend the gear. While troubleshooting, he also noticed that electrical bus 1 was no longer charging; shortly thereafter, the airplane experienced an electrical failure, and the engine, which was equipped with an electronic ignition system, lost total power. The pilot landed on the runway with the landing gear retracted and a fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was not examined after the accident, and the reason for the landing gear and electrical anomalies 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
- Electrical system malf/failure during maneuvering defining event
- Engine shutdown during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Main landing gear › Malfunction
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-580-EXP (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Havoc Air Racing LLC
The flight
- Departed from: RTS Reno NV at 11:10 pm
- Destination: RTS Reno NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 9,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 pm from KRTS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 7, 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 | Record of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Memorandum - NTSB Pilot/operator 6120.1 Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | On Scene Photos - Courtesy of NTSB | PDF, 2 pages | 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 N400MC 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.