Rockwell 112B accident near Elk Grove, California, February 17, 1996
On February 17, 1996 at about 1:40 am local time, a Rockwell 112B, registered N1233J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elk Grove, California (Sunset Skyranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper planning/decision and delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the short runway, high obstructions near the departure end of the runway, and wind shear.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 17, 1996 · about 1:40 am local time
- Place
- Elk Grove, California · Sunset Skyranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell 112B
- Registration
- N1233J · no longer on the register · serial 503
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps and rotated at what he felt was the normal speed. As the airplane climbed about 20 feet, the stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane ceased climbing. The pilot believed the airplane would not clear buildings at the departure end of the runway, so he elected to abort the takeoff. The pilot was unable to stop of the remaining runway. Subsequently, the airplane encountered a muddy area, and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot believed that the airplane encountered a wind shear that was induced by buildings near to the runway. Using the estimated temperature and pressure altitude, performance charts in the flight manual showed that a takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps would require 1,600 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The landing distance chart from a 50-foot altitude (with full flaps) showed a minimum required distance of 1,200 feet. The runway was 2,700 feet in length.
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
- Flight time: 402 hours in all; 95 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 355 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,814 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 1996; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Q40 at 1:40 am
- Destination: MYF San Diego CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 2,780 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.