Amateur-built AVID FLYER accident near Redding, California, June 30, 1990
On June 30, 1990 at about 9:30 pm local time, a amateur-built AVID FLYER, registered N275G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Redding, California. 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 FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT THE CORRECT POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS OPERATION WITH A KNOWN DEAD BATTERY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 1990 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Redding, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AVID FLYER
- Registration
- N275G · no longer on the register · serial 275
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT EXPEREINCED AN ENGINE FAILURE ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART FAILED DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY THAT WAS FOUND DURING THE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION. THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS A HEADER TANK DOWNSTREAM OF THE FUEL SELECTOR AND HAS A CAPACITY OF 3/4 OF A GALLON. WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE OFF POSITION THE ENGINE WILL RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MINUTES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION, AND THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM 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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 172 hours in all; 127 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 84 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 4, 1990; 84 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 911 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 583 (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: Q93 Redding CA at 9:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from RBL, 20 miles away
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.