Aviat A-1B N395AA

Summary

On 8 September 2012 at about 19:15 local time, a Aviat A-1B registered N395AA, operated by Falcon Financial Solutions, was involved in an accident near Durham, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 September 2012 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Durham, California, United States

Nearest airport

Lake (PVT)

Coordinates

39.6861, -121.7933

Aircraft

Aviat A-1B

Registration

N395AA

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Falcon Financial Solutions

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Durham → Auburn

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA406

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, shortly after taking off for the personal flight, he heard a "pop" sound emanate from the engine, followed by a loss of engine power and subsequent loss of lift. The pilot maintained level forward flight until the airplane impacted an orchard. A postimpact fire ensued, and the airplane was partially consumed. The remainder of the airplane and the engine sustained thermal damage. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.