Amateur-built AA-1B accident near Bermuda Dunes, California, June 6, 1984
On June 6, 1984 at about 10:30 pm local time, a amateur-built AA-1B, registered N8874L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bermuda Dunes, California (Bermuda Dunes airport). It was an instructional 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 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
- June 6, 1984 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Bermuda Dunes, California · Bermuda Dunes · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AA-1B
- Registration
- N8874L · no longer on the register · serial AA1B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT DURING LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED CESSNA 172 AND A FENCE. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, WINDS WERE LESS THAN 10 KTS WHEN THE SOLO STUDENT DEPARTED 50 MINUTES EARLIER. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WINDS WERE REPORTEDLY GUSTING TO 25 KTS.
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: student
- Flight time: 22 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 7 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,372 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 7, 1984; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: UDD Bermuda Dunes CA at 9:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,130 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°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.