Amateur-built A13-SWB accident near Elsanor, Alabama, June 12, 2003
On June 12, 2003, a amateur-built A13-SWB, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elsanor, Alabama. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2003
- Place
- Elsanor, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built A13-SWB
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial CP202141
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft was being flown shortly after performing maintenance of the aircraft. According to witnesses, the aircraft was maneuvering approximately 700 feet AGL (above ground level) when the engine lost power. The pilot began to circle the private grass strip in an attempt to restart the engine. During the circling maneuver the aircraft winged over to the left, pitched down, and collided with trees. Examination of the airframe revealed, all flight controls and flight control surfaces were functional. Examination of the engine revealed, it rotated freely, produced cylinder compression, and valve train continuity. The ignition, fuel, and oil systems were functional. Review of the Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the aircraft did not have: Exemption No. 3784K, nor did the aircraft did not display the placard " To be used for instruction only". According to the previous owner, the aircraft was sold on April 23, 2003, and that the aircraft needed minor maintenance before flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Elsanora AL
- Destination: Elsanora AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.