What happened
On August 2, 2025, at approximately 19:25 EDT, a Jabiru J-230-D, registration N784J, was involved in an accident near Oak Island, North Carolina. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The flight was the second since the aircraft had undergone extensive maintenance.
During the initial climb, the pilot noted momentary, sub-second drops in engine power. Although the pilot had experienced similar occurrences previously that ceased after leveling off, the power fluctuations continued after the aircraft reached its level altitude. The pilot subsequently decided to return to the airport.
While flying over the water on the final approach leg, the engine began to lose power. The pilot attempted to restore power by adjusting the throttle, activating the fuel pump, and using carburetor heat, but the engine continued to lose power. At 1,400 feet mean sea level, the pilot determined the airport was unreachable and that the nearby beach was too crowded for an emergency landing.
As the pilot prepared for a forced ditching, the engine lost all power and the propeller stopped rotating. The aircraft's main landing gear struck the water first, followed by the airplane nosed over. The aircraft began to sink, but the pilot was rescued through the broken windshield by first responders. The pilot sustained one minor injury and was not killed.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the wreckage showed that the fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The wreckage was retained for further examination.