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April 8, 2025 · Pphu Ekolot KR-030 Topaz · N568RD

Platteville, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 2025
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Platteville, WI
Aircraft
Pphu Ekolot KR-030 Topaz (2023)
Tail Number
N568RD
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN25LA149

On April 8, 2025, about 1308 central daylight time, a PPHU Ekolot KR-030 Topaz light sport airplane, N568RD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Platteville, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data initially depicted the airplane at 1233:04 about 1.5 miles southwest of the Platteville Municipal Airport (PVB). The initial altitude was about 1,400 ft mean sea level (msl). The pilot maneuvered in a 3-mile arc, circling east and then north of the airport. The pilot then continued to maneuver in a broad figure-eight pattern extending to 3-1/2 miles north and west of the airport. About 1247:33, the airplane was positioned about 0.9 mile north-northeast of the airport about 1,380 ft msl. A gap in ADS-B coverage occurred from then until 1249:52 when the airplane was about 2.3 miles south of the airport. Afterward, no further ADS-B data was recorded. The airplane impacted an open field about one-third mile south of the runway 33 threshold. The airframe sustained damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot stated that he did not recall any aspects of the accident sequence. Airframe and engine examinations are planned following recovery of the airplane from the accident site.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained

Full Narrative

On April 8, 2025, about 1253 central daylight time, a PPHU Ekolot KR-030 Topaz light sport airplane, N568RD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Platteville, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he did not recall any aspects of the accident sequence. Airplane position data revealed that the pilot departed from runway 33 at the Platteville Municipal Airport (PVB) about 1217. After takeoff, the pilot maneuvered within a 4-mile radius of the airport. Initially, he proceeded about 1.5 miles southwest of the airport and climbed to an altitude of about 1,800 ft mean sea level (msl). The pilot then turned northeast until the airplane was about 4 miles from the airport before maneuvering to a point about 3.5 miles west of the airport. The airplane altitude varied between about 1,400 ft and 2,000 ft msl during that time. He returned, nearly overflying the airport, before proceeding north about 2 miles and then south about 2.5 miles. The airplane altitude varied between about 1,200 ft and 1,800 ft msl during that portion of the flight. From a point about 2 miles south of the airport, the pilot maneuvered north and executed a low pass or a touch-and-go on runway 33 at PVB. The airplane then entered a left turn and climbed to an altitude of about 1,100 ft msl while turning to a southerly course. The final data point was recorded at 1252:55 and located near the extended centerline of runway 7 about 0.15 miles from the arrival threshold. The course and altitude associated with that data point were about 137° and 1,007 ft msl, respectively. The groundspeed, derived from position data, was about 78 kts at the end of the data. However, the investigation was unable to determine if the pilot was intending to land on that runway, continue for runway 33, or continue the flight locally. The airplane impacted an open field near the final data point. It came to rest upright on a westerly heading about 150 ft southeast from ground impact marks. The approximate elevation of the accident site was 992 ft. A postrecovery examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with an inflight failure or malfunction. Data recovered from the onboard engine control unit was consistent with a normally running engine responding to the pilot’s throttle control inputs. From takeoff until the end of the recorded data, each of the engine parameters remained within the specified limitations. The airplane level flight, unaccelerated aerodynamic stall speeds were about 30 knots airspeed and 43 knots with the wing flaps extended and retracted, respectively.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:08 CDT
Nearest AirportPlatteville Municipal (0nm WSW)
Runway07
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPphu Ekolot KR-030 Topaz
Tail NumberN568RD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912iS3 · Reciprocating · 72
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Basc · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt, gusting 1 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 F / 12 F
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time12:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data