Amateur-built RAVIN 500 accident near Conroe, Texas, May 7, 2011
On May 7, 2011 at about 1:55 pm local time, a amateur-built RAVIN 500, registered N913RA, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Conroe, Texas (Lone Star Executive 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
An in-flight smoke event on takeoff and the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 2011 · about 1:55 pm local time
- Place
- Conroe, Texas · Lone Star Executive Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAVIN 500
- Registration
- N913RA · no longer on the register · serial 07050013
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Airport tower personnel gave the pilot clearance to depart with a right turn on course. The airplane departed, and as the pilot began the initial right turn, he reported to the tower that he had smoke in the cockpit. The airplane was cleared to land on any runway and was told the wind was from 160 degrees at 8 knots. A witness observed the airplane perform a 240-degree right turn and crossed back over the departure runway before the airplane entered a left downwind leg for runway 14. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the witness stated that the airplane was flying “slow” with its wings level at an estimated altitude of 700 to 800 feet above the ground. While about 4,500 feet on the downwind leg, the landing gear was extended. Shortly thereafter, the airplane started a descending left turn toward the closer runway 19. The airplane overshot the extended centerline to runway 19 and the airplane’s bank angle increased. The airplane continued in the descending left turn toward the runway until about 300 feet above the ground, at which point the airplane appeared to “stall” and disappear in the trees. Tower personnel reported that during the event, they did not observe any smoke or flames coming from the airplane until impact. A pilot-rated eyewitness located near the crash site reported hearing what he described as an engine that was “screaming” and varying in rpm. When he saw the airplane, it was flying “very slow” at an estimated altitude of 300 to 500 feet above the ground. As the airplane made a high bank angle turn back toward the airport, the witness observed the nose and left wing drop before the airplane went out of sight. Seconds later, he heard it impact trees followed by an explosion. A postimpact fire ensued, which consumed the airplane’s structure. An examination of the remainder of the airplane confirmed control continuity and no apparent anomalies to the airplane’s engine or systems. The examination failed to reveal the origin of the reported in-flight smoke.
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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace › Air quality/dust/smoke › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,400 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 14, 2010
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Chevrolet LS1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: KCXO Conroe TX
- Destination: Temple TX
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 23,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KCXO
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.