Jackson TOP DOG accident near Apple Valley, California, May 19, 2012
On May 19, 2012 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Jackson TOP DOG (weight-shift aircraft), registered N214AB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Apple Valley, California. 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
A loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because the anomalies revealed during the postaccident examination would not have necessarily precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance, which failed to detect existing anomalies in engine-related systems.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 2012 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Apple Valley, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Jackson TOP DOG
- Registration
- N214AB · no longer on the register · serial TD-056
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, the engine stopped producing power. During his attempt to turn toward a nearby road for an emergency landing, the airplane descended rapidly into the terrain. In addition to a number of minor anomalies associated with the engine, the postaccident examination revealed three anomalies (cracked carburetor sockets, an incorrectly installed fuel pump, and an incorrectly calibrated high altitude corrector) that had the potential to contribute to a loss of engine power. However, because none of the three noted anomalies would necessarily have led to the engine stoppage, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be 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 (total) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 750 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 29 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 16, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 395 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582DCDI (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Apple Valley CA at 2:30 pm
- Destination: Apple Valley CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.