Amateur-built Nieuport C-1 accident near Homestead, Florida, April 25, 2005
On April 25, 2005 at about 1:56 pm local time, a amateur-built Nieuport C-1, registered N749GB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Homestead, Florida (Richards Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons on the downwind leg which resulted in a forced landing, and subsequent in-flight collision with a guy-wire and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 25, 2005 · about 1:56 pm local time
- Place
- Homestead, Florida · Richards Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Nieuport C-1
- Registration
- N749GB · no longer on the register · serial 00749
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane became airborne during high-speed taxi testing, and the pilot elected to continue flying to familiarize himself with the crosswind landing characteristics before attempting a crosswind landing. He performed one circuit in the traffic pattern and after turning onto the downwind leg; he reduced power and immediately noticed a loss of altitude. He applied full throttle but noted that from three-quarters to full-throttle application, there was no increase in engine rpm. He attempted to turn left and fly under observed power lines but "the aircraft struck the lower guide wire which sheared the prop." The airplane then impacted the ground. He further reported the airplane did not stall. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane came to rest in brush in a nose-low attitude with the empennage elevated. The right wing was separated but found in close proximity to the wreckage. The wooden propeller blades were "sheared and splinted off." No determination was made as to the reported loss of engine power.
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: 418 hours in all; 311 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 29 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2004; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 750 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1835 CC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 04FA Homestead FL at 1:51 pm
- Destination: 04FA Homestead FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,620 ft by 212 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from KHST
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.