Ryan ST3KR accident near Camarillo, California, February 26, 1986
On February 26, 1986 at about 10:55 pm local time, a Ryan ST3KR, registered N51122, was substantially damaged in an accident near Camarillo, California (Camarillo airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. 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
- February 26, 1986 · about 10:55 pm local time
- Place
- Camarillo, California · Camarillo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan ST3KR
- Registration
- N51122 · registry record · serial 2204
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE OWNER OF THE ACFT REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS BEING CHECKED OUT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING CMA AND UPON REACHING 1200 FT MSL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE THE CHECK PILOT ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE ACFT AND LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 3 MILES NORTH OF THE ARPT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE MAIN WHEELS SUNK INTO THE SOFT, WET DIRT AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DSCLSD THE THROTTLE BELLCRANK LINKAGE WAS EXCESSIVELY WORN AND BROKEN. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE ACFT 10 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
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; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 14,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 180 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 5,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,570 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 1986
- Maximum gross weight: 1,885 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Kinner R-56 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CMA Camarillo CA at 10:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.