Amateur-built XS Mono accident near Eastsound, Washington, April 13, 2022
On April 13, 2022 at about 6:36 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built XS Mono, registered N194XS, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Eastsound, Washington (Orcas Island airport). It was a personal flight 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 pilot inadvertently shut off the engine control unit, which resulted in the engine turning off before the runway landing was attained.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2022 · about 6:36 pm local time
- Place
- Eastsound, Washington · Orcas Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built XS Mono, built 2019
- Registration
- N194XS · registry record · serial A-194
- 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 he reduced airspeed and lowered the landing gear and flaps while on downwind for the runway. The landing gear and flaps used a single control lever, which he had to “wrestle” with to get into the “locked” position. While he attempted to lower the landing gear and flaps the engine lost all power. He extended the downwind leg so he could attempt to restart the engine. Unable to restore engine power, he turned toward the runway and the airplane impacted trees short of the runway threshold. The pilot later reported, after simulating the accident sequence in the airplane, that while extending the flaps and landing gear, he likely inadvertently closed, or turned off, a switch that controls the engine control unit (ECU), an action which results in an immediate engine stoppage.”
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 approach (VFR pattern downwind)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Loss of engine power (total) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Low tension coil › Unintentional use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 684 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 684 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 13, 2017
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 1, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Ram Racing Engines EA81 (piston); 106 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,901 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from KORS, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KORS 131855Z AUTO 33006KT 8SM FEW075 08/01 A3002 RMK AO2
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 August 15, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Email from the Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR22LA158.