Amateur-built Laser IV-P N11001 accident near Port O'Connor, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined from the available information.

NTSB analysis

A witness saw the airplane take off and make a slow climbing left 180-degree turn to about 3,000 feet above ground level (agl). The airplane then made a sharp 180-degree left turn as if it was returning to the airport. The wings were leveled, and the airplane made a snap roll, entered a dive, spun once, and impacted the water. Another witness saw the airplane pass overhead about 500 to 600 feet agl. He heard the engine make a series of pops, and the airplane then rolled 360 degrees, leveled off, then abruptly rolled left and dove vertically into the water. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was disassembled and examined, and no anomalies were found that would have precluded it from developing power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11FA443 for the full record.