Amateur-built EVANS VP accident near Terrell, Texas, October 16, 2011
On October 16, 2011 at about 12:30 pm local time, a amateur-built EVANS VP, registered N331EJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Terrell, Texas (Rockwall airport). 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 inadequate preflight planning, in that he did not determine whether the airplane’s climb performance would be sufficient to clear obstacles before initiating take off.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 16, 2011 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Terrell, Texas · Rockwall · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EVANS VP
- Registration
- N331EJ · no longer on the register · serial P15
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, after a preflight inspection and normal run up, he taxied to the runway for takeoff. The airplane lifted off the runway about midfield but was not climbing as expected, although the engine was operating normally. As the airplane climbed through about 100 feet above ground level, the pilot thought that the airplane was losing lift or stalling, so he lowered the nose and simultaneously banked right to avoid the tops of a stand of trees near the departure end of the runway. During the turn, the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that the airplane was near its maximum gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident, which could have explained the less-than-expected climb performance. He also stated that if he had not had to maneuver away from trees just beyond the departure end of the runway, he may have effected a landing without incident.
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 initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Performance calculations › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 385 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 14, 2010
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 50 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 22, 2011
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen CONVERSION (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1F7 Rockwall TX at 1:30 pm
- Destination: 1F7 Rockwall TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from 1F7
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.