Amateur-built AVENTURA II accident near Crescent City, Florida, March 29, 2011
On March 29, 2011 at about 8:30 pm local time, a amateur-built AVENTURA II, registered N5842, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Crescent City, Florida (Thunderbird Air Park airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 2011 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Crescent City, Florida · Thunderbird Air Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVENTURA II
- Registration
- N5842 · no longer on the register · serial 83A
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he conducted the preflight, engine start, taxi, and takeoff, with no anomalies noted. The pilot described a full-power takeoff at 5,800 rpm and a rotation speed of 48 mph, and then he lowered the nose of the airplane to climb out at 60 mph. As the airplane reached treetop height, the left wing dipped due to turbulence over the trees, and the pilot perceived a loss of engine power. The pilot said he again lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the airplane nosed over and struck trees, the ground, and a fence. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. There was no checklist for the airplane, no placarded V-speeds in the cockpit, and no color-coded airspeed range markings on the airspeed indicator. According to the airplane kit’s manufacturer, the airplane’s rotation speed was 60 mph and the standard climb speed was 65 mph. The stall speed for the airplane was approximately 44 mph with the flaps retracted, depending on the airplane’s weight and the builders' modifications.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 70 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 21, 2011
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax SEE BOMBADIER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2FA5 Crescent City FL at 8:15 pm
- Destination: LAL Lakeland FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 800 ft; ovct at 800 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from XFL, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.