Amateur-built AVID FLYER AEROBAT accident near Oxford, Iowa, September 4, 1996
On September 4, 1996 at about 11:30 pm local time, a amateur-built AVID FLYER AEROBAT, registered N95GC, was destroyed in an accident near Oxford, Iowa (Green Castle airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the private pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed after takeoff, during the initial climb and turn to the crosswind leg; and a delay by the flight instructor (CFI) in taking remedial action to avoid a stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 1996 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Oxford, Iowa · Green Castle · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVID FLYER AEROBAT AVID FLYER
- Registration
- N95GC · registry record · serial 1
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A flight instructor (CFI) and a private pilot were beginning a local instructional flight. They initiated a takeoff on runway 15, which contained a 90' wide sod area and a 24' wide asphalt area. A witness reported that [after lift-off], he observed the airplane 'banking into a turn, low to the ground, with its tail very low.' The private pilot reported that they 'were having trouble gaining enough airspeed and barely cleared the trees after takeoff.' He said the CFI assumed control of the airplane, and that they 'continued having trouble getting the proper amount of airspeed.' The next thing he remembered was 'the ground coming at them.' The private pilot did 'not recall hearing the engine miss.' According to operator personnel, the airplane stalled and 'spun' to the ground about 1/2 mile south of the runway. Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane crashed on slightly rising terrain. Corn stalks in the impact area were sliced at a descending angle, leading to a shallow impact crater. No preimpact flight control or engine control malfunction was discovered. The engine operated normally, when tested.
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
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 335 hours in all; 248 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 165 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 20, 1996; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EA81 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IA24 at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 4,000 ft by 114 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.