Amateur-built AA-1C accident near Custer, South Dakota, June 8, 1996
On June 8, 1996 at about 1:45 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-1C, registered N39048, was substantially damaged in an accident near Custer, South Dakota (Custer County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot did not maintain aircraft control or abort the takeoff. The factors involved were the pilot encountered a stall/mush condition, exhaust valves were leaking, low compression on all cylinders, and all pistons were scored.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 1996 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Custer, South Dakota · Custer County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-1C
- Registration
- N39048 · no longer on the register · serial 0202
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After takeoff, the airplane would not climb and began to settle back on the runway. The passenger heard the stall horn come on and off. The pilot made an emergency landing beyond the overrun area. Examination of the engine revealed low compression readings on all cylinders, all four pistons badly scored and burned and leaking exhaust valves.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 890 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 800 as pilot in command; 35 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,066 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 25, 1996; 45 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,560 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SD01 at 1:45 pm
- Destination: EFC Belle Fourche SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 4,700 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.