Pilot Debrief

CZECH AIRCRAFT GROUP SRO SPORTCRUISER near Puyallup, WA — 2025-08-25

Investigation ongoingWPR25LA259
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Date
2025-08-25
Location
Puyallup, WA, USA
Airport
PLU
Aircraft
CZECH AIRCRAFT GROUP SRO SPORTCRUISER
Registration
N538SF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
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 August 25, 2025, about 1456 Pacific daylight time, a Czech Aircraft Group SRO Sportcruiser, N538SF was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Puyallup, Washington. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91 maintenance test flight. A 100-hr maintenance inspection had just been completed and a pilot and mechanic from the flight school were conducting a post-maintenance check flight. After takeoff from runway 35, the pilot reported that there was an engine problem, and he attempted to turn back to the runway. However, the airplane would not maintain altitude and impacted a heavily vegetated field, west of the airport perimeter fence. The airplane was recovered for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (partial) · Takeoff
  • Loss of Thrust on Takeoff
View NTSB preliminary report

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