Amateur-built AVENTURA II accident near Minneola, Florida, October 6, 2012
On October 6, 2012 at about 9:50 pm local time, a amateur-built AVENTURA II, registered N4401P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Minneola, Florida (Florida Flying Gators Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2012 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Minneola, Florida · Florida Flying Gators Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVENTURA II
- Registration
- N4401P · registry record · serial AP2A0050
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the airplane’s engine began to lose power. The pilot elected to land the airplane straight ahead. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees at the boundary of the airport, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s fuel tank contained 10 gallons of uncontaminated fuel, and the fuel in the carburetors was also clean. Damage to the fuselage and propeller blades indicated that the engine was producing power at impact. A review of meteorological data revealed that the airplane was being operated in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, the airplane was not operating at glide power during the accident takeoff.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,651 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3FD4 Minneola FL at 9:50 pm
- Destination: 3FD4 Minneola FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 1,600 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft; a few clouds at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from ORL, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.