Pilot Debrief

Flight Design GMBH CTSW near Casa Grande, AZ — 2025-10-17

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA022
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Date
2025-10-17
Location
Casa Grande, AZ, USA
Airport
CGZ
Aircraft
Flight Design GMBH CTSW
Registration
N531CT
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 October 17, 2025, about 13:20 mountain standard time, a Flight Design GMBH CTSW, N531CT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Casa Grande, Arizona. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91personal flight. The pilot reported that he sumped the fuel and found no water or contaminants, then verified 12 gallons of fuel on board by viewing the fuel sight tubes at the root of the overhead wings. The engine runup, departure and climb were uneventful. About 25 minutes into the flight the engine speed slowed unexpectedly and advancing the throttle did not change the engine speed. About 15 seconds later the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted three restarts. During the first restart, the engine started and ran normally for about 5 to 10 seconds then lost total power. During the second restart, the engine ran with partial power for about 5 to 10 seconds followed by a total loss of power. The engine did not start on the third attempt. The pilot maneuvered toward the destination airport and transmitted a mayday call over the radio. The pilot realized that there was insufficient altitude to reach the airport and performed an off-airport landing on desert scrub. Upon touchdown the airplane nosed-over which substantially damaged the fuselage and rudder assembly. The pilot exited the airplane unassisted. The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (partial) · Enroute
  • Engine Failure Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

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