Amateur-built KIS accident near Eagle Lake, Texas, April 29, 2018
On April 29, 2018 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 1996 amateur-built KIS, registered N66SK, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Eagle Lake, Texas (Eagle Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 29, 2018 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Eagle Lake, Texas · Eagle Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KIS TR-1, built 1996
- Registration
- N66SK · no longer on the register · serial 021
- 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, during the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a left crosswind gust, and the right wing struck the grass on the right side of the runway. The airplane pivoted about the right wing, and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were 12-knot wind gusts about the time of the accident. The METAR nearest the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 6 knots, gusting to 13 knots. The takeoff roll was initiated on runway 17. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: None (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 36 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 2, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 350 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 275 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ELA Eagle Lake TX at 3:00 pm
- Destination: ELA Eagle Lake TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,801 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from KTME, 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
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 6, 2018. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | 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.