Amateur-built Qualt accident near Sonoma, California, November 6, 2010
On November 6, 2010 at about 7:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Qualt, registered N3215S, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sonoma, California (Sonoma Skypark 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
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 6, 2010 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sonoma, California · Sonoma Skypark Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Qualt 200
- Registration
- N3215S · no longer on the register · serial ROK 1998
- 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 takeoff it felt as if the airplane was in a strong downdraft or strong tailwind gust and that "somehow there was not enough power.” When the airplane reached about 100 to 150 feet above ground level, it veered right, rapidly descended, and collided with a warehouse. A witness reported that he heard the engine running but that it was only producing partial power. During the postaccident examination of the engine, the engine started without hesitation and ran smoothly during a test run. Although the reported weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power, it could not be determined if carburetor icing was the reason for the partial loss of engine power. Further, weather conditions were not conducive to strong wind.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Residence/building › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 405 in this make and model; 153 in the last 90 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 405 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, March 26, 2010; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0Q9 Sonoma CA at 7:30 pm
- Destination: O69 Petaluma CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,300 ft; clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from 0Q9
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.