Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2 accident near Cougar, Washington, July 22, 2026
On July 22, 2026 at about 6:29 pm local time, a 2013 Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N42SK, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Cougar, Washington. 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2026 · about 6:29 pm local time
- Place
- Cougar, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2, built 2013, amateur-built
- Registration
- N42SK · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 22, 2026, about 1129 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2 airplane, N42SK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cougar, Washington. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of a video provided by a witness showed the airplane at a distance while flying at a low altitude, in a right banking turn. The airplane subsequently began to descend while in a right bank and impacted the water of Yale Lake. The airplane remained partially above water surface for an unspecified time before it ultimately became submerged. Recovery of the wreckage is currently pending.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: WA81 Vancouver WA at 5:30 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KSPB, 28 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSPB 221753Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 29/18 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP110 T02940178 10294 20189 58009=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.