Pilot Debrief

Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2 near Cougar, WA — 2026-07-22

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA275
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Date
2026-07-22
Location
Cougar, WA, USA
Aircraft
Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2
Registration
N42SK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

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.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Miscellaneous/other · Maneuvering-low-alt flying
View NTSB preliminary report

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