Amateur-built COOT A accident near Circle Pines, Minnesota, June 10, 1994
On June 10, 1994 at about 5:30 pm local time, a amateur-built COOT A, registered N123AP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Circle Pines, Minnesota (Anoka County 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-in-command's inattention to the fuel supply. Factors were the pilot-in-command's diverted attention, his not performing refueling, and rough/uneven terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 1994 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Circle Pines, Minnesota · Anoka County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built COOT A
- Registration
- N123AP · registry record · serial AP01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE STATED THAT HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO THE OIL TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE GAGES DURING THE FLIGHT AND HE FAILED TO MONITOR FUEL CONSUMPTION. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE FUEL STATE WAS LOW, HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION AND HE ELECTED TO CONDUCT A FORCED LANDING OFF THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
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: commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,994 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,693 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 40 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 1994; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Franklin 6A-335-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ANE Anoka MN at 1:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,856 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:46 pm from MIC, 8 miles away
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.