Amateur-built DAVE-EZ accident near Santa Monica, California, August 2, 2009
On August 2, 2009 at about 9:45 pm local time, a amateur-built DAVE-EZ, registered N7CE, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Santa Monica, California (Santa Monica 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2009 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Monica, California · Santa Monica Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DAVE-EZ
- Registration
- N7CE · registry record · serial 99
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after taking off, the airplane's engine lost power. While attempting to return to the departure runway the engine would intermittently start, then lose power. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane to final in a rapid descent the engine started again, followed by the pilot losing control of the airplane and impacting the runway at about a 45-degree angle in a nose low, left wing down attitude. The airplane came to rest in an upright position. Post-examination of the engine revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction that would have prevented the engine from developing power. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,346 hours in all; 483 in this make and model
- Last flight review: February 9, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 1, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMO Santa Monica CA at 9:45 pm
- Destination: SMO Santa Monica CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 4,973 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 pm from SMO
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.