Amateur-built MINI IMP RC-2 accident near Sonoma, California, August 15, 1998
On August 15, 1998 at about 7:35 pm local time, a amateur-built MINI IMP RC-2, registered N55961, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sonoma, California (Sonoma Skypark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of power due to a loose magneto cap and a binding throttle control cable. The deficiencies were the result of the owner/pilot's improper installation and/or adjustments.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 15, 1998 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Sonoma, California · Sonoma Skypark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MINI IMP RC-2 MINI IMP R
- Registration
- N55961 · no longer on the register · serial A-28
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After takeoff, the pilot noted a partial loss of engine power and attempted to land in an open field; however, the airplane's landing gear struck trees and it collided with the roof of an occupied house. The pilot stated that the engine did not sputter, surge, or backfire, and the engine was just not producing full power. Examination of the airplane disclosed that there was a loose magneto cap with one screw missing, and the other two were only engaged by three threads. Interference was also found at the midpoint of the throttle control system as a result of the improper routing of that system in the airframe, and a misrigged carburetor heat box, which resulted in an inability to achieve full throttle movement at the carburetor.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,922 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 1,921 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Great Plains 2180CC (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0Q9
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 2,500 ft by 35 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from SAC
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.