Boeing A75N1(PT17) accident near Fabens, Texas, August 14, 2011
On August 14, 2011 at about 5:26 pm local time, a Boeing A75N1(PT17), registered N53473, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fabens, Texas (Fabens Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to continue the high density altitude takeoff with reduced engine power and his decision to initiate a turn back to the runway with insufficient airspeed, 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
- August 14, 2011 · about 5:26 pm local time
- Place
- Fabens, Texas · Fabens Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing A75N1(PT17) · all A75N1(PT17)s on the register
- Registration
- N53473 · registry record · serial 75-2442
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff ground roll, the pilot noticed that the airplane’s engine was developing 100 to 200 rpm less than expected. He continued with the takeoff, and, during the climb, he was unable to maintain a safe airspeed. The passenger said that the airplane did not seem to accelerate very well on the takeoff roll and that the climb rate was marginal. When the airplane was about 100 feet above the ground, the pilot entered a left turn back to the airport with an already reduced airspeed, and an aerodynamic stall occurred. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended at a steep angle. The pilot was able to level the wings before the airplane impacted the ground. The engine was not examined due to impact damage and the inability of inspectors to move the engine at the accident site. At the time of the accident, the density altitude was about 6,425 feet, which would have contributed to reduced airplane performance during takeoff.
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 700 hours in all; 80 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 13, 2011
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor W670 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E35 Fabens TX
- Destination: Santa Teresa NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from ELP, 21 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.