Amateur-built ACRO 2 accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming, April 18, 1996
On April 18, 1996 at about 2:00 am local time, a amateur-built ACRO 2, registered N565HF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rock Springs, Wyoming. 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 pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from a road with gusting crosswinds, and his failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were gusts, crosswinds, and windshear.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 1996 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Rock Springs, Wyoming
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ACRO 2
- Registration
- N565HF · no longer on the register · serial 565
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed a precautionary landing on a highway because of an oil pressure problem. After a mechanic corrected the problem, the pilot made a takeoff from the highway with gusting crosswinds. During the takeoff the airplane veered into a hillside along the side of the road. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he did not realize the winds were that strong prior to the takeoff, and the airplane 'encountered wind shear resulting in loss of positive directional control.' The reported wind conditions near the accident site about the time of the accident were: wind direction from 270 degrees magnetic at 20 knots, gusting to 26 knots.
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; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 881 hours in all; 184 in this make and model; 42 in the last 30 days; 793 as pilot in command; 88 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 184 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 1995; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,604 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: RKS WY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 20 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 am from RKS, 4 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.