Amateur-built AA-1B accident near Whitney, Texas, August 3, 2009
On August 3, 2009 at about 3:00 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-1B, registered N1644R, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Whitney, Texas (Lake Whitney State Park 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
A partial 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
- August 3, 2009 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Whitney, Texas · Lake Whitney State Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-1B
- Registration
- N1644R · no longer on the register · serial AA1B0644
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After an hour's flight, including touch and go maneuvers, the pilot landed, added 10.9 gallons of fuel, and departed the airport. After a time of sightseeing, he landed at the accident airport, back-taxied and performed a magneto check before departing. Shortly after takeoff the engine began to run rough as if it had a fouled plug. While turning to downwind the engine began to shake violently and the rpms and altitude were decreasing. The pilot selected a field and performed a soft-field landing. During the landing rollout the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in flames. A thorough examination of the engine following the accident was performed. The reason for the reported partial loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 17,722 hours in all; 1,150 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 15,014 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 14, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,425 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 4, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,560 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: F50 Whitney TX at 3:00 pm
- Destination: 7F7 Clifton TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 180°F (82°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 3:00 pm from INJ, 17 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.