Amateur-built Super Koala accident near Chelan, Washington, June 5, 2022
On June 5, 2022 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 1987 amateur-built Super Koala, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Chelan, Washington (Riverview 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
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 2022 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Chelan, Washington · Riverview Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Super Koala, built 1987
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial SK001S
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While making a crosswind turn in a non-registered airplane, the engine sustained a total loss of power. The pilot checked to ensure the throttle setting was at maximum power and that the ignition switch was ON, but the engine did not restart. He initiated a forced landing to an off-airport site where the fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot had previously conducted significant maintenance on the fuel system; however, all the maintained components were found to be in functional condition. Components vital to the investigation were removed and unavailable for examination, which precluded a complete and through investigation of the fuel system. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Environmental conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Attempted remediation/recovery during emergency descent
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 484 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 16.8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 484 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 26, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 115 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 532 UL (piston); 115 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 1,889 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.67 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from KEAT, 33 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEAT 051955Z AUTO 09004KT 10SM VCTS FEW100 SCT120 18/13 A2967 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S AND W SLP043 T01780128
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 18, 2024. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Site Survey | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airframe and Engine Examination Report | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | FAA SAIB-CE-09-35 | PDF, 16 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 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.