Amateur-built AA-5B accident near Waller, Texas, October 19, 1995
On October 19, 1995 at about 7:08 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-5B, registered N888R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Waller, Texas (Skydive Houston airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot misjudging distance and airspeed resulting in his failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 1995 · about 7:08 pm local time
- Place
- Waller, Texas · Skydive Houston · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-5B
- Registration
- N888R · no longer on the register · serial AA5B0332
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while level at 2,500 feet MSL the engine began to run rough, and 30 seconds later it lost total power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot contacted Houston Center and was given radar vectors to the Skydive Houston Airport. The pilot overshot the airport and maneuvered to land perpendicular to the runway. Approximately 20 yards from initial touch down, the aircraft's right wing struck a tree. The aircraft came to rest upright 20 to 30 yards past the runway between two hangars. Examination of the airplane revealed evidence of usable fuel. A teardown of the engine was accomplished and no mechanical anomalies were found that would have resulted in a loss of power. The airplane had not been flown for three years. The pilot recently purchased the airplane, and had applied for and received a ferry permit for the flight.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HOU Houston TX at 6:55 pm
- Destination: 1F7 Dallas TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,800 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from IAH, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.