Amateur-built Kitfox IV-1200 accident near Gridley, California, October 6, 2006
On October 6, 2006 at about 9:15 pm local time, a amateur-built Kitfox IV-1200, registered N134U, was destroyed in an accident near Gridley, California (Private Farm Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while attempting a return to runway maneuver that led to a stall spin. The reason for the power loss was not ascertained.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2006 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Gridley, California · Private Farm Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Kitfox IV-1200
- Registration
- N134U · no longer on the register · serial 1727
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The aircraft collided with the ground while attempting a return to runway maneuver following a loss of power in the takeoff initial climb. Within about 1 minute after takeoff during initial climb, the experimental, home-built, airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The airplane reversed direction and turned back toward the departure airstrip. A ground-based witness reported that during the turn the airplane appeared to stall. Thereafter, in a nose low attitude, it spiraled/spun downward in a "steep dive." The airplane's nose and a wing impacted the ground at the same time, whereupon a fire erupted that destroyed the airplane. The witness reported that he spoke with the accident pilot prior to the flight. The pilot reportedly stated that he had made a precautionary landing at the airstrip after experiencing an engine problem. The witness loaned the pilot a wrench to assist him in repairing the airplane, and the pilot proceeded to loosen one or two fittings in the engine area. The witness observed fuel "spurting" from the area after the fuel pump had been turned on. The airplane had fuel. Thereafter, the pilot and his friend, who was also a pilot and who had accompanied the owner-pilot during the flight, replaced the engine cowling. The first pilot indicated to the witness that he believed his problem was now fixed, and the pilots proceeded to takeoff. Both pilots held airplane single engine land ratings, and both held current FAA medical certificates. Neither of the pilots held aviation mechanic/repairman certificates. The airplane was severely damaged during the impact sequence, and thereafter was destroyed by fire. An examination of the remaining wreckage did not disclose evidence of any preimpact malfunction. No logbooks were located. The reason for the loss of engine power was not ascertained.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 935 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Gridley CA at 9:14 pm
- Destination: WLW Willows CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,000 ft by 30 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from MYV, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.