Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wall of the rock quarry.
NTSB analysis
The experimental airplane flew through a 100 foot deep rock quarry at high speed at an estimated altitude of 20 to 30 feet above ground level. One witness said he waved at the airplane as it flew directly toward him then banked away from his bulldozer and pitched up to avoid a rock pile. The airplane then collided with the quarry wall about 20 feet from the floor of the quarry. Examination of the propeller blades revealed damage that was consistent with engine power at the time of impact.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DFW08LA197 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 24, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Midlothian, Texas
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Cozy MK IV
- N-number
- N500K
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.