Both Wings Were Located About ¼ Mi East Of The Main Wreckage

Location: Lyndonville, NY Accident Number: CEN23FA204
Date & Time: May 28, 2023, 18:15 Local Registration: N18263
Aircraft: Luce Buttercup Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 28, 2023, at 1815 eastern daylight time, a Luce Buttercup, N18263, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lyndonville, New York. The pilot and a pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

Witnesses stated that they saw either pieces of the airplane or the airplane wings separate from the airplane. The first witness stated that he heard a low flying airplane flying toward the southwest and then saw some pieces of the airplane falling into an orchard just south of his home; he then lost sight of the airplane. The second witness saw the airplane flying southeast and banking right. The second witness stated that when the airplane leveled off, the left wing came off the airplane followed by the right wing. The airplane then spun, or barrel rolled into a field.

Both wings were located about ¼ mi east of the main wreckage. Pieces of the internal wing structure were found along the ground for about 150 ft southeast of the wings. 

The airplane wreckage was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov