Amateur-built BAKENG DUCE accident near Gilroy, California, July 14, 1985
On July 14, 1985 at about 1:15 am local time, a amateur-built BAKENG DUCE, registered N3957D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gilroy, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 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
- July 14, 1985 · about 1:15 am local time
- Place
- Gilroy, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BAKENG DUCE BAKENG DUC
- Registration
- N3957D · no longer on the register · serial 554
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER CIRCLING A GROUND FIRE AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. THE PLT SAID THAT SHE WAS WATCHING THE GRND FIRE WHEN SUDDENLY THE ACFT DROPPED TO THE LEFT. SHE ADDED POWER AND APPLIED OPPOSITE RUDDER BUT THE ACFT DID NOT RECOVER. SHE DOES NOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN AN APRICOT ORCHARD.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,820 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 1,700 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 150 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, August 17, 1984; 150 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 307 Hollister CA at 1:15 am
- Destination: SJC San Jose CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.