Amateur-built AVID-CATAL accident near Inks Lake, Texas, September 30, 2009
On September 30, 2009 at about 7:15 pm local time, a amateur-built AVID-CATAL, registered N1945J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Inks Lake, Texas (Burnet Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to take off with a known airframe deficiency.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 2009 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Inks Lake, Texas · Burnet Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVID-CATAL
- Registration
- N1945J · no longer on the register · serial 170AB
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amphibian airplane had a known history of taking on water when operating on the water. On the day of the accident, the pilot attempted to take off, but was unable. He had commented to a witness that he could not take off due to the water in the plane. The pilot removed the airplane from the lake and attempted to drain the water for about 15 minutes before he attempted another takeoff. Witnesses observed the airplane accelerate across the lake, pull up into a steep angle to about 50 feet, and then bank left into the water. Due to impact damage, inspectors on scene could not determine how water may have leaked into the airplane.
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
- Aircraft structural failure during prior to flight
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Fuselage › (general) › Damaged/degraded
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 285 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Inks Lake TX at 7:15 pm
- Destination: BMQ Burnet TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from BMQ, 8 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.