Accident Overview
On November 14, 2025, at 1708 eastern standard time, a Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC J230-SP, registration N755J, was substantially damaged in an accident near New Bavaria, Ohio. The sport pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight was operated as a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
Preliminary ADS-B data indicated that the airplane departed its base at Fulton County Airport (USE) in Wauseon, Ohio, about 1458. It flew for approximately two hours over northwest Ohio at geometric altitudes between 3,100 ft and 1,700 ft mean sea level (msl). At 1656, the airplane entered the accident area and began descending from about 3,000 ft msl. It circled the area multiple times, descending to a minimum altitude of 103 ft above ground level (agl) at 1707:02. The airplane then initiated a climbing left turn, reaching 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 152 ft agl.
Witness Accounts
A family member living across the street from the accident site reported that the pilot often flew over their house at low altitude, and family members would go outside to wave. On the accident day, this family member heard the airplane fly overhead and went outside to wave. The airplane flew over the house at low altitude and then began a left turn to pass over the house again. Before the airplane returned over the house, while in the left turn, the family member heard sounds of an impact. The engine sound was reported as loud and constant. Another witness, working in a field near the accident site, saw the airplane circle overhead three times. As it passed over the family members' house, it entered a steep left turn with wings nearly perpendicular to the ground, indicative of a near 90° bank angle. The airplane then descended until the left wingtip struck the ground.
Wreckage and Impact
The debris path, located in a tilled field, was about 370 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of about 125°. The initial impact mark was about 250 ft beyond the last ADS-B data point. The main impact crater lay about 25 ft from the initial mark. The fuselage came to rest on top of the right wing on its left side, on a magnetic heading of 235° at an altitude of 731 ft msl, about 220 ft from the initial impact mark. The vertical stabilizer and rudder remained attached; 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 found about 130 ft from the right wing. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all surfaces to the cockpit area through multiple impact separations.
Post-Accident Examination
The left wing fuel tank and header 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 found about 70 ft from the main wreckage. It could be rotated by hand, and crankshaft continuity was confirmed to the accessory case. The carburetor was impact-separated and found about 40 ft past the main wreckage, with impact damage and the bowl separated. Both propeller blades were impact-separated; one at the hub and the other about 6 inches from the hub. Multiple electronic devices capable of recording flight data were located in the debris path and retained for data download at the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory. The wreckage was retained for further examination.