What happened
On November 14, 2025, a Jabiru J230-SP, registration N755J, was involved in a fatal accident near New Bavaria, Ohio. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The aircraft departed Fulton County Airport (USE) in Wauseon, Ohio, at approximately 1458 eastern standard time.
ADS-B data indicates the aircraft flew for approximately two hours over northwest Ohio at altitudes ranging between 1,700 ft and 3,100 ft MSL. At 1656, the aircraft entered the accident area and began a descent from 3,000 ft MSL. The aircraft circled the area multiple times, reaching a minimum altitude of 103 ft AGL. Following this, the aircraft entered a climbing left turn that reached a maximum altitude of 428 ft AGL before descending to 152 ft AGL.
Witnesses at the scene provided accounts of the final moments of the flight. One witness reported that the aircraft flew over a nearby residence at a low altitude and began a left turn to pass over the house a second time. During this turn, the witness heard the sound of an impact. Another witness, working in a nearby field, observed the aircraft circle overhead three times. This witness reported that as the aircraft passed over the residence, it entered a steep left turn with a bank angle of nearly 90 degrees, causing the left wingtip to strike the ground.
The accident resulted in 2 fatalities.
The investigation
The debris path in a tilled field measured approximately 370 ft in length. The initial impact mark was located 250 ft beyond the final ADS-B data point. The engine was separated from the firewall and found 70 ft from the main wreckage; the crankshaft remained intact, and the engine could be rotated by hand. The carburetor was separated from the engine and showed impact damage.
Structural findings included:
- The left wing and left aileron were separated from the main wreckage.
- The right aileron was found 130 ft from the right wing.
- The horizontal stabilizer and elevator were impact separated.
- The left wing fuel tank and header tank were breached and empty, while the right wing tank was approximately half full.
- Flight control continuity was maintained from the cockpit to all surfaces despite multiple separations.
Electronic devices capable of recording flight data were recovered from the debris path and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for analysis.