Amateur-built AA-1C accident near Roanoke, Texas, May 29, 1998
On May 29, 1998 at about 2:30 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-1C, registered N9606U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Roanoke, Texas (Northwest Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power resulting from an excessively rich mixture for an undetermined reason. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 1998 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Roanoke, Texas · Northwest Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-1C
- Registration
- N9606U · registry record · serial AA1C-0071
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial takeoff climb, the engine gradually lost power, and the airplane descended into trees approximately 1/4 mile from the departure end of the runway. Examination of the engine revealed evidence that the power loss resulted from an excessively rich mixture. Black carbon deposits were present on the exhaust valves and exhaust stacks of two cylinders, and the engine oil drained from all the cylinders contained aviation fuel. Examination of the carburetor revealed no evidence of any discrepancies that would have resulted in a rich mixture. The reason for the excessively rich mixture could not be determined.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,213 hours in all; 47 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 8,937 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,741 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 20, 1997; 59 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 52F at 2:30 pm
- Destination: NFW Fort Worth TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 225° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.