Amateur-built MINIMAX accident near Winnsboro, Louisiana, October 27, 2008
On October 27, 2008, a amateur-built MINIMAX, registered N8637L, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Winnsboro, Louisiana (Winnsboro Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from static wires while maneuvering to avoid another airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2008
- Place
- Winnsboro, Louisiana · Winnsboro Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MINIMAX
- Registration
- N8637L · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Following a local pleasure flight the pilot returned to the airport in preparation for a night landing. While approaching the airport he observed another airplane maneuvering around the airport but was unsure of the other pilot’s intentions. Following a pattern entry on the downwind leg and a short base leg the pilot turned onto final approach. Moments later the pilot observed the other airplane also on final approach. While maneuvering in an attempt to avoid the other airplane, the accident airplane impacted static wires and subsequently the ground. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane’s flight controls. In addition, he reported that he had not been using an aircraft radio at the time of the accident. The Safety Board's Investigator-In-Charge repeatedly attempted to contact the pilot of the other airplane to no avail.
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
What happened, in order
- Air traffic event during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 750 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 31, 2000
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 150 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 560 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F89 Winnsboro LA at 10:00 pm
- Destination: F89 Winnsboro LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KMLU, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
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.