Amateur-built CONDOR accident near Fremont, California, December 13, 1982
On December 13, 1982 at about 1:00 am local time, a amateur-built CONDOR, registered N100WH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fremont, California (Freemont airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 13, 1982 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Fremont, California · Freemont
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CONDOR
- Registration
- N100WH · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
UNABLE TO START THE ENG THE PLT REMOVED THE MAGNETO ASSISTED BY BYSTANDERS. AFTER FREEZING THE MAG IMPLUSE COUPLING HE REINSTALLED THE MAG. A BYSTANDER OFFERED TO TIGHTEN THE MAG MOUNTING BOLTS. THE ONLY TOOL AVAILALE WAS A PAIR OF PLIERS. THE MOUNTING BOLTS WERE RECESSED ALLEN HEADS & REQUIRE AN ALLEN WRENCH. THE PLOT DID NOT RECHECK THE PERSON WHO SAID HE HAD TIGHTENED THE BOLTS. AT LEAST ONE PERSON SUGGESTED TO THE PLT THAT HE LEAVE THE ACFT THERE UNTIL THE WORK COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE PROPER TOOLS, & OFFERED THE PLT A RIDE IN HIS CAR. THE PLT DECLINED THE OFFER. AFTER TAKEOFF AT 200 FT AGL THE ENG QUIT & THE ACFT LANDED IN LEVEES. AT THE SCENE THE MAG MOVED WHEN THE PROP WAS ROTATED. THE TWO MAG MOUNTING BOLTS WERE VERY LOOSE. THE PLT SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES TO HIS BACK. THE ACFT DESIGN DID NOT PROVIDE ANY CRASHWORTHINESS IN THAT THE SEAT WAS ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO THE ACFT BELLY SKIN WITH NO PROVISION TO ABSORB IMPACT FORCES.
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; rotorcraft: gyroplane
- Flight time: 285 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 202 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 42 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagon REVMASTER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Fremont CA at 4:59 pm
- Destination: Fremont CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,310 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.