American General Acft CORP AG5B accident near Naples, Florida, November 14, 2008
On November 14, 2008 at about 11:24 pm local time, a American General Acft CORP AG5B, registered N1191W, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Naples, Florida (Wing South Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 14, 2008 · about 11:24 pm local time
- Place
- Naples, Florida · Wing South Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American General Acft CORP AG5B · all AG5Bs on the register
- Registration
- N1191W · registry record · serial 10019
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was fully loaded and departed from a 4,400-foot-long asphalt runway, in a slight tailwind. The owner of the airplane loaned it to the pilot and witnessed the accident takeoff. The airplane lifted off about half-way down the runway, climbed approximately 150 feet and appeared to be well above the height of the trees. It then started to sink and disappeared into the trees at an increased pitch attitude. According to a pilot-rated passenger, the liftoff and initial climb appeared normal, but soon it was apparent that the airplane was not accelerating. The passenger mentioned to the pilot that the airspeed seemed to be stagnating and he confirmed the same concern. The pilot and passenger both checked for full throttle position and rpm, which was at 2,150, instead of an expected rpm of 2,300. The passenger stated that at that point the only option was to lower the nose in an attempt to increase airspeed. When there was no increase in airspeed, they both realized that the airplane would impact trees. The pilot continued to fly the airplane straight and level to the point of impact. Examination of the wreckage, including a test-run of the engine to full power, did not reveal any evidence of a preexisting mechanical failure or malfunction. The airplane was destroyed in the accident.
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 engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,247 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 26, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 Seri (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FA37 Naples FL at 11:24 pm
- Destination: FA37 Naples FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 4,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from APF, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.