Amateur-built UNK accident near Chula Vista, California, September 2, 1986
On September 2, 1986 at about 7:25 pm local time, a amateur-built UNK, registered N64596, was destroyed in an accident near Chula Vista, California. 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 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
- September 2, 1986 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Chula Vista, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built UNK
- Registration
- N64596 · no longer on the register · serial 585528489
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TO THE INVERTED POSITION. WHEN OBSERVED A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS RIGHT SIDE UP IN A SHALLOW SPIN. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED IN THIS POSITION UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO SIGN OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS OR AROUND THE WRECKAGE SITE.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 40 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 347 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 30, 1985; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental E185-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SDM San Diego CA at 7:20 pm
- Destination: SEE El Cajon CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from SDM, 3 miles away
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.