Paul Antares accident near Petaluma, California, June 20, 2009
On June 20, 2009 at about 2:15 am local time, a Paul Antares (weight-shift aircraft), registered N729YF, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Petaluma, California (Petaluma Municipal Airport). 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 pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusting winds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2009 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Petaluma, California · Petaluma Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Paul Antares
- Registration
- N729YF · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot encountered turbulence that continued to increase while entering the pattern for landing. On final approach, the pilot added power to counteract the turbulent wind condition. The trike continued to experience turbulence and the pilot decided to descend rapidly once past the runway numbers in hopes of finding smoother air. At this point, she still felt that she had control of the trike. About 50 feet above the ground; however, a gust of wind struck the trike and pushed it off the runway centerline. She corrected back to the runway, and at this point the trike became uncontrollable and impacted the runway in a nose-down attitude. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the trike at the time of 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
What happened, in order
- Turbulence encounter during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › (general) › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: powered-lift
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 400 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O69 Petaluma CA at 1:30 am
- Destination: O69 Petaluma CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 3,601 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 2:10 am from DVO, 7 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.