Amateur-built CAVALIER MODEL 2 accident near Grants Pass, Oregon, February 27, 1990
On February 27, 1990 at about 1:20 am local time, a amateur-built CAVALIER MODEL 2, registered N7131, was destroyed in an accident near Grants Pass, Oregon. 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
FUEL EXHAUSTION WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PILOTS INTENTIONALLY OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, RESULTING IN A STALL/SPIN AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 1990 · about 1:20 am local time
- Place
- Grants Pass, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CAVALIER MODEL 2 CAVALIER M
- Registration
- N7131 · registry record · serial 6864
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON THE FLIGHT WITHOUT A CAP INSTALLED ON THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE ENGINE QUIT WHEN THE SUPPLY OF FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED. THE ACFT STALLED, ENTERED A SPIN, DESCENDED NOSE DOWN AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,094 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,730 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 3S8
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.