Amateur-built SPRINT MXII accident near Groesbeck, Texas, November 5, 2012
On November 5, 2012 at about 5:35 pm local time, a amateur-built SPRINT MXII, registered N460JS, suffered minor damage in an accident during initial climb near Groesbeck, Texas (Private airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the noncertificated airplane during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s physical and psychological impairment.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2012 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Groesbeck, Texas · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SPRINT MXII NO SERIES
- Registration
- N460JS · no longer on the register · serial 0686
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed his private airstrip to the south for a local flight. GPS data indicated that the pilot flew the airplane to an area about 15 miles southwest of the departure airstrip and then made several low-altitude circling maneuvers in this area before heading back toward the airstrip. The pilot then flew several circling maneuvers east of the airstrip followed by a low pass to the south. The airplane then climbed and again maneuvered east of the airstrip before continuing to the south end of the airstrip; however, it made a 180-degree turn and subsequently departed to the north and then returned to land. A witness reported that the pilot appeared to abort the landing and that the airplane pitched up and then banked left and descended into the trees. The airplane came to rest in the trees about 15 feet above the ground. The witness reported that the engine continued to run after the impact. Flight control continuity was established during the postaccident examination of the airplane, which did not have an airworthiness certificate. Postaccident weight and balance calculations indicate that the airplane's center of gravity (CG) was aft of the maximum aft CG limit. However, given that the pilot was able to take off without any problems, the airplane was likely controllable even though the CG was aft of its maximum limit. Toxicological results and medical records indicate the pilot was likely experiencing some level of impairment due to diagnosed, chronic, medical and psychiatric conditions and the effects of the medications he was taking for these conditions.
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
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Prescription medication › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Predisposing condition › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,500 hours in all; 3 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 720 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 13 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Groesbeck TX at 3:41 pm
- Destination: PVT Groesbeck TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 02, 1,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from KACT, 45 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.