Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG accident near Midlothian, Texas, January 5, 2011
On January 5, 2011 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, registered N1393T, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Midlothian, Texas (Eagle'S Nest Estates airport). 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 engine's loss of power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because no engine anomalies were discovered during the postaccident examination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 5, 2011 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Midlothian, Texas · Eagle'S Nest Estates · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG · all LC41-550FGs on the register
- Registration
- N1393T · no longer on the register · serial 41675
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, a witness heard the airplane's engine stall and saw dark smoke emanate from the airplane. The witness observed the airplane turn left and heard sounds similar to the engine attempting to restart as the airplane descended and collided with the ground. Signatures at the accident scene were consistent with an aerodynamic stall prior to impact. The electric fuel boost pump had been impact-damaged and performance at the low flow setting could not be tested. The pump operated within limits at its high flow setting. An examination of the engine revealed dark, black sooting on the spark plugs, indicating a rich fuel setting. In addition, a clamp securing the rubber hose between the left intercooler and aft intercooler induction tubes was found set to a smaller diameter than the combined diameter of the induction tube and rubber hose, which would have reduced the turbocharger's efficiency. No further anomalies were found with the airframe or engine. An autopsy of the pilot noted that "[m]yocarditis may or may not have caused a cardiac event, i.e. arrhythmia, prior to the plane crash." The investigation was unable to determine definitively whether pilot incapacitation occurred; however, the engine failure would not be attributed to the pilot’s performance.
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 (total) during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: November 15, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 834 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 27, 2010; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-550-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Paradise Leasing INC
The flight
- Departed from: 2TS6 Midlothian TX
- Destination: ELD El Dorado AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,200 ft by 36 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 4:23 pm from JWY, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
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.