Amateur-built RADIO FLYER accident near Tehachapi, California, June 30, 2017
On June 30, 2017, a 2009 amateur-built RADIO FLYER, registered N385MU, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Tehachapi, California (Tehachapi Muni 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 noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from residential buildings and trees in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 2017
- Place
- Tehachapi, California · Tehachapi Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RADIO FLYER NO SERIES, built 2009
- Registration
- N385MU · no longer on the register · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a local news report, after the accident, the noncertificated pilot stated, "The wind got the better of me and the near-death experience is pretty interesting." He further stated, "I tried to level out before the crash into the house and aimed for the tree. I thought we were dead and I pulled the yoke as far as I could to get the elevation leveled out, which saved our life. I hit the tree with the wing and we spun and landed." Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in the residential neighborhood. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. After multiple requests, the noncertificated pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot departed on runway 29.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TSP Tehachapi CA
- Destination: TSP Tehachapi CA
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 29, 4,040 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
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 August 23, 2017. 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 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record | 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.