Amateur-built MK-5 accident near Perris, California, January 10, 2008
On January 10, 2008 at about 10:15 pm local time, a amateur-built MK-5, registered N9639H, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Perris, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 10, 2008 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Perris, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MK-5
- Registration
- N9639H · registry record · serial 432
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The experimental amateur built amphibian airplane impacted hilly terrain within a sparsely populated area during daytime visual meteorological conditions. The wreckage site was near a lake and on scene documentation by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector indicated that the airplane was maneuvering at low level within sight of the lake shore when the left wing contacted terrain, followed by the fuselage. No radio transmissions were received by the pilot nor were there any witnesses to the accident sequence. A post accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have suggested mechanical malfunction or failure. After the initial on-scene examinations by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the wreckage recovery was delayed due to weather. Once access to the site was obtained, the recovery crew indicated that the majority of the wreckage had been removed and its disposition is unknown.
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
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 157 hours in all; 37 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 38 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Hirth F30 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KAJO Corona CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from RIV, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.