L-Bird LLC CCX-2000 accident near Hood River, Oregon, June 28, 2021
On June 28, 2021 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 2019 L-Bird LLC CCX-2000, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N10TA, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hood River, Oregon (Ken Jernstedt Airfield). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to improper construction of the muffler, which resulted in separation of the internal components.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2021 · about 5:30 pm local time · cases in 2021
- Place
- Hood River, Oregon · Ken Jernstedt Airfield · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- L-Bird LLC CCX-2000, built 2019, amateur-built · all CCX-2000s on the register
- Registration
- N10TA · registry record · serial CCX-2000-0080
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental, amateur-built airplane was retrofitted with an experimental exhaust system that comprised a titanium exhaust header and aluminum muffler. On the first flight with the new exhaust system, the engine lost total power just after takeoff. The pilot performed a forced landing during which the airplane impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the muffler inner tube failed due to creep fatigue and fractured into several fragments. Components of the muffler included a perforated inner tube, surrounded by fiberglass packing material held in place by five clamps; an outer shell; end caps; and an inlet and exhaust tube, all constructed out of 6061-T6, an aluminum alloy not suited for use above 350°F to 400°F. Any use near or above that temperature will cause additional heat treatment and changes to the properties and performance of the material. The observation of the creep separation indicates that the material was exposed to much higher temperatures than this, likely between 600°F and 1000°F. It is likely that, when exposed to the hot exhaust gasses during takeoff, the fragments, clamps, and fiberglass packing material migrated aft and collapsed the remaining section of the inner tube, which plugged the exhaust port and resulted in a total loss of power. A postaccident test run of the engine without the muffler revealed no anomalies.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine exhaust › Noise suppressor › Failure other cases naming the engine
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine exhaust › (general) › Design other cases naming the engine
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,100 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 1,950 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 30, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 127.1 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 2, 2020
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming CC363I (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 3,040 ft by 74 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 am from K4S2, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): K4S2 281735Z AUTO 33003KT 10SM CLR 34/14 A2979 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – N10TA, showing debris exiting the exhaust system.
Photo 2 – Damage to the left wing.
Photo 3 – Substantial damage at root of the left wing.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on February 28, 2023. 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, 15 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report 21-102 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memo for Record Engine Test Run | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memo of Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Invoices from Exhaust Manufacturer | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Video File | MOV file | Download |
| 8 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N10TA on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- L-Bird Llc CCX-2000 13 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Engine: Lycoming CC363I 218 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Ken Jernstedt Airfield · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Oregon 1,864 since 1982 · 279 in the last ten years
- Oregon 7,012 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR21LA250.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.