Amateur-built KR-2 accident near Rancho Murieta, California, September 2, 2010
On September 2, 2010 at about 4:45 pm local time, a amateur-built KR-2, registered N522PC, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Rancho Murieta, California (Rancho Murieta airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2010 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Rancho Murieta, California · Rancho Murieta · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built KR-2
- Registration
- N522PC · no longer on the register · serial KR27561
- 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 during the landing the airplane bounced and the nose pitched up, so he added power to go around. This was followed by his lowering the nose to build up airspeed; however, he overcorrected and the airplane impacted the runway with the nosewheel, collapsing the nose strut. The airplane subsequently skidded down the runway before exiting off the left side and nosing over, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and rudder. The pilot said that there were no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Landing gear collapse during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 242 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 181 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 23, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Other crew
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 592 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 517 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 8, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 21 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, August 25, 2010; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Revmaster 2100 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RIU Rancho Murieta CA at 4:40 pm
- Destination: RIU Rancho Murieta CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 3,800 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from MHR, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.