Amateur-built SLIPSTREAM GENESIS accident near Bryan, Texas, August 13, 2011
On August 13, 2011 at about 12:20 pm local time, a amateur-built SLIPSTREAM GENESIS, registered N53QB, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Bryan, Texas (Coulter Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and attitude during a turn toward downwind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in the experimental airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2011 · about 12:20 pm local time
- Place
- Bryan, Texas · Coulter Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SLIPSTREAM GENESIS
- Registration
- N53QB · no longer on the register · serial JMP-01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After a detailed preflight inspection and runup of the experimental airplane, the pilot intended to do solo pattern work before giving the airplane's owner a bi-annual flight review. The owner watched the airplane takeoff and start to climb, then turn toward a left crosswind to enter the pattern downwind. The owner stated that the airplane would have been encountering a quartering tailwind of about 6-7 knots during the turn to downwind. He then saw the left wing losing lift and the right wing tipping upward at the same time, and the airplane quickly losing altitude. The airplane was operating with full engine power. The airplane then impacted the ground and skidded about 49 yards along a grassy area before coming to rest. After the accident, the pilot stated that just after the airplane cleared the ground during takeoff, he began a climb and turned toward a downwind position. The airplane then suddenly began to stall. After adding power, the airplane started to recover, but the altitude was too low to complete the recovery. Examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine, airframe, or flight controls that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had a total time of 2,300 flight hours; however, he only had about 1.5 total hours in the accident airplane. He had flown the airplane 2 days before the accident flight for about 1 hour, and the accident flight was his second flight in the airplane. It is likely that the pilot was not sufficiently familiar with the flight characteristics of the light experimental 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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Flight time: 2,300 hours in all; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 29, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Compact Ra MZ202 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CFD Bryan TX at 12:33 pm
- Destination: CFD Bryan TX
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from CFD, 1 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.