Preliminary information
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.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA259 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 25, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Puyallup, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Pierce County/Thun Fld (PLU)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Czech Aircraft Group Sro SPORTCRUISER
- N-number
- N538SF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2023
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
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.