The Pilot Would Often Fly Over Their House At A Low Altitude And That Family Members Would Go Outside To Wave

Location: New Bavaria, OH Accident Number: ERA26FA039
Date & Time: November 14, 2025, 17:08 Local Registration: N755J
Aircraft: Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC J230-SP Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On November 14, 2025, at 1708 eastern standard time, a Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC J230-SP, N755J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Bavaria, Ohio. The sport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A review of preliminary ADS-B data showed that the airplane departed Fulton County Airport (USE), Wauseon, Ohio, where the airplane was based about 1458. It then flew for about 2 hours around northwest Ohio at geometric altitudes between 3,100 ft mean sea level (msl) and 1,700 ft msl. At 1656 the airplane entered the accident area and began a descent from about 3,000 ft msl. It circled the accident area multiple times, descending to a minimum altitude of 103 ft above ground level (agl) at 1707:02. The airplane then began a climbing left turn which reached a maximum altitude of 428 ft agl at 1707:11. The left turn continued and the last data point, at 1707:17, showed the airplane at an altitude of 152 ft agl.

A family member who lived across the street from the accident site reported that the pilot would often fly over their house at a low altitude and that family members would go outside to wave. On the day of the accident, a family member reported hearing the airplane fly overhead and going outside to wave. The airplane flew over the house at a low altitude and, after passing over the house, began a left turn to pass over the house again. Before the airplane passed back over the house, while in the left turn, the family member heard sounds of an impact. The family member further reported that the airplane’s engine sound was loud and constant. Another witness, who was working in a field near the accident site, reported that he saw the airplane circle overhead 3 times. As the airplane passed over the family members’ house it began a steep left turn, with its wings nearly perpendicular to the ground indicative of the debris path located in a tilled field, was about 370 ft in length, and oriented on a magnetic heading of about 125°. 

The initial impact mark was located about 250 ft past the last ADS-B track data point. The main impact crater was about 25 ft from the initial impact mark. The airplane fuselage came to rest on top of the right wing on its left side. It was on a magnetic heading of 235° at an altitude of 731 ft mean sea level and was located about 220 ft from the initial impact mark. The vertical stabilizer and rudder remained attached to the fuselage and the horizontal stabilizer and elevator were impact separated and found about 120 ft from the main wreckage. The left wing and left aileron were impact separated and found 70 ft and 175 ft from the main wreckage, respectively. The right aileron was impact separated and was found about 130 ft from the right wing. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit area through multiple impact separations.

The left wing fuel tank and header fuel tank were breached and contained no fuel. The right wing fuel tank was about half full of liquid consistent with fuel. The engine was impact separated from the firewall and was found about 70 ft from the main wreckage. The engine was able to be rotated by hand and continuity of the crankshaft was confirmed to the accessory case. The engine carburetor was impact separated and found about 40 ft past the main wreckage. The carburetor exhibited impact damage, and the carburetor bowl was impact separated from the carburetor. Both propeller blades were impact separated and found in the debris path. One blade was impact separated at the propeller hub and the other blade was impact separated about 6 inches from the propeller hub.

Multiple electronic devices capable of recording flight data were located in the debris path and exhibited impact damage. They were retained and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for data download.

The wreckage was retained for further examination. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov