Amateur-built Acrolite 1T accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 29, 2005
On July 29, 2005 at about 12:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Acrolite 1T, registered CIAVT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Wittman Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to an obstructed carburetor fuel metering jet. Factors to the accident included the low altitude at which the loss of engine power occurred, the contamination of the fuel system from degraded automobile-style fuel lines, and the tree that the airplane impacted during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2005 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Oshkosh, Wisconsin · Wittman Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Acrolite 1T
- Registration
- CIAVT · no longer on the register · serial AC 106
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amateur-built airplane was damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb. The pilot stated that the engine "lost power" during initial climb after takeoff. The pilot reported that the airplane contacted a tree during the subsequent forced landing and then impacted a front yard of a nearby residence. The pilot reported that normal engine operation is around 6,300 rpm during takeoff. The pilot stated that during the accident takeoff the engine was only developing 5,900 rpm. Engine crankshaft and valve continuity was established by rotating the propeller flange during a post-accident examination. Both carburetors were disassembled. The magneto-side carburetor fuel bowl contained several small fragments of black material. The black material was consistent with degraded rubber from an automotive-style fuel line. The engine was outfitted with black rubber, automobile-style fuel lines. The power-takeoff carburetor fuel bowl was void of containments.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 884 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 42 in the last 30 days; 838 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 52.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2004; 11.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 720 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OSH Oshkosh WI at 12:00 pm
- Destination: HYR Hayward WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 1,200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from OSH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.