Scottish Aviation SERIES 100 MDL 101 accident near Lake Pleasant, Arizona, November 17, 2018
On November 17, 2018 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1971 Scottish Aviation SERIES 100 MDL 101, registered N82696, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Lake Pleasant, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Impact with a lake for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 2018 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lake Pleasant, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Scottish Aviation SERIES 100 MDL 101 100 101, built 1971 · all SERIES 100 MDL 101s on the register
- Registration
- N82696 · no longer on the register · serial 128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during a pleasure flight over a lake, about 700 ft above ground level, the engine started to shake and subsequently lost all power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by turning the auxiliary fuel pump on, and he dove the airplane toward the water so that the windmilling propeller would help to restart the engine. The engine started, but the pilot estimated that it was only producing about 50% power. The pilot thought that he might be able to maintain or gain some altitude to reach a nearby runway; however, during the climb, the engine lost all power again. The pilot then initiated a forced landing to the lake. Witnesses around the lake reported seeing the airplane flying at low altitude. One witness stated that the engine sounded normal but that the airplane was flying erratically. Another witness saw the airplane about 40 ft above the water. He did not hear any unusual noises emanating from the engine. The airplane and engine remained submerged in the lake for about 3 weeks before recovery. The right wing was not recovered. Cursory examination of the engine revealed continuity to the accessory drive when the propeller was rotated by hand; however, the examination was insufficient to determine whether or for what reason a loss of engine power may have occurred.
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
- Ditching during emergency descent
- Inflight upset during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Water › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DVT Phoenix AZ
- Destination: DVT Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KDVT, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 9, 2020. 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's Statement | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspection Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Fuel Receipt | 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.
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.