Rockwell 114 accident near Magnolia, Texas, November 8, 1993
On November 8, 1993 at about 1:22 am local time, a Rockwell 114, registered N1237W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Magnolia, Texas. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
WAS THE OWNER'S FAILURE TO PERFORM CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE IT WITH KNOWN MAINTENANCE DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 8, 1993 · about 1:22 am local time
- Place
- Magnolia, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell 114
- Registration
- N1237W · no longer on the register · serial 14282
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE EN ROUTE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS. THE PILOT BECAME AWARE OF THE CRITICAL FUEL STATE ABOUT 3 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES, TREES, AND ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE ENSUING NIGHT FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT HAD INDICATED HE HAD ADEQUATE FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT AND HE SHOULD HAVE HAD 2 HOURS REMAINING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD A HISTORY OF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TANKS AND THE STRAINER. THE AIRPLANE OWNER HAD BRIEFED THE PILOT ON THE LEAKS, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT ALL HE HAD EXPERIENCED WAS UNEVEN TANK BURN WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PLACED ON THE BOTH POSITION.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,244 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,094 as pilot in command; 65 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-T4B5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F41 Ennis TX
- Destination: AAP Houston TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 15,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:47 am from DWH, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.