Amateur-built AEROLITE 103 accident near Immokalee, Florida, March 16, 2013
On March 16, 2013 at about 2:00 pm local time, a amateur-built AEROLITE 103, registered N2549W, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Immokalee, Florida (Immokalee Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to the seizure of the magneto piston.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2013 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Immokalee, Florida · Immokalee Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AEROLITE 103
- Registration
- N2549W · registry record · serial 411
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he was descending the airplane from 3,000 to 1,000 ft above ground level toward his destination airport. After he leveled off the airplane, he encountered heavy turbulence and a strong wind gust. The airplane began to descend, and, in an attempt to climb, the pilot added power. However, the airplane did not climb, and a wind gust rolled the airplane right. He subsequently lost control of the airplane, and it collided with trees. Although the pilot did not report that the engine lost power, an examination of the engine revealed evidence of seizure marks on the intake and exhaust side of the magneto cylinder walls; the magneto piston's seizure likely led to the loss of engine power and contributed to the airplane's inability to climb.
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
- Turbulence encounter during approach
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach defining event
- Loss of control in flight during approach
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Damaged/degraded
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 160 hours in all; 160 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 325 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 28 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IMM Immokalee FL at 1:00 pm
- Destination: IMM Immokalee FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from RSW, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on March 31, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Note Regarding Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Collier County Naples, Florida Police Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Pilot Interview Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - Radelat | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Fuel Filter Inspection Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Rotax Engine Examine Report | PDF, 36 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | CE-09-35 Carb Icing Bulletin | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Rsw Metars | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photo 1 – Cockpit Section (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Photo 2 – Wing Root and Engine (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Photo 3- Upper Wing Surface and Tail Section (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Photo 4 - Landing Gear and Flight Control (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.