Amateur-built LESS DRAG SPECIAL accident near Oxnard, California, June 29, 2013
On June 29, 2013 at about 7:10 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built LESS DRAG SPECIAL, registered N130LD, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Oxnard, California (Oxnard Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2013 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Oxnard, California · Oxnard Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LESS DRAG SPECIAL, built 2010
- Registration
- N130LD · no longer on the register · serial 1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two witnesses stated that they observed the airplane taxi out and take off, and they reported that the engine sounded good. Additional witnesses reported seeing the airplane depart and then hearing the engine backfire and sputter before losing power. The airplane banked left as if the pilot were trying to return to the airport. The airplane's nose pitched up, it stalled, and then its nose pitched down before it impacted terrain. A postimpact fire destroyed the fuselage, cabin, cockpit, and right wing. The left wing and empennage were seriously damaged by the fire and impact forces. No anomalies were noted during the postaccident examination that would have resulted in the loss of engine power or the subsequent loss of airplane control. The witnesses' descriptions of the event were consistent with the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall/spin while the pilot was attempting to return to the airport after encountering a loss of engine power during initial climb. A review of weight and balance data revealed that the airplane would have been within its center of gravity limits 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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,129 hours in all; 140 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 27, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
Other crew
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 222 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 140 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 9, 2012; 52 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-D4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: OXR Oxnard CA at 7:05 pm
- Destination: OXR Oxnard CA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from OXR, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.