Amateur-built Avid Commuter accident near Goffs, California, August 16, 2002
On August 16, 2002 at about 2:48 pm local time, a amateur-built Avid Commuter, registered N837TR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Goffs, California. 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 engine loss of power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2002 · about 2:48 pm local time
- Place
- Goffs, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Avid Commuter
- Registration
- N837TR · no longer on the register · serial 837
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight at 6,500 feet msl. the airplane experienced a loss in engine power. The pilot initiated an emergency descent to rough and uneven terrain. The airplane nosed over during the landing roll coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot stated that both wings were destroyed and the fuselage sustained major structural damage. The post-accident examination of the Rotax engine was performed by the pilot. The pilot was able to establish control continuity to the carburetor as well as electrical continuity. The engine was started using the airplane's fuel system. The engine ran for about 30 minutes at different power settings and the pilot reported that "it never skipped a beat!" The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.
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 sea
- Flight time: 269 hours in all; 161 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 20, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 161 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2002; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 67L Mesquite NV at 1:38 pm
- Destination: RNM Ramona CA
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from DAG
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.