American Aviation AA-1A accident near Desert Center, California, August 26, 2013
On August 26, 2013 at about 8:30 pm local time, a American Aviation AA-1A, registered N61VT, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Desert Center, California. It was an other work-use 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
The pilot's abrupt maneuver, which resulted in an accelerated stall and a loss of airplane control at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2013 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Desert Center, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Aviation AA-1A · all AA-1As on the register
- Registration
- N61VT · no longer on the register · serial AA1A-0047
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on an aerial photography mission during day visual flight rules conditions. A witness located near the accident site reported that he saw the airplane about 1,000 ft above the ground when it made a sharp, 180-degree turn. The airplane's wings then dipped side-to-side, and he could see the top and bottom of the airplane. The airplane's nose started to move down, and it then abruptly moved back up while the airplane proceeded in an easterly direction. The airplane entered a second nosedive and then rolled 180 degrees counterclockwise before it crashed. Several witnesses reported hearing the engine stop, pop, or sputter at some point in their observations of the airplane. However, postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the airplane's observed attitude while maneuvering, it is likely that the pilot entered an accelerated stall and subsequent loss of airplane control from which he did not recover. Although toxicological testing detected the sedating antihistamine diphenhydramine in the pilot's liver, insufficient evidence existed to determine whether pilot impairment from the medication contributed to 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 control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Use of medication/drugs › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 750 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Desert Center CA
- Destination: Desert Center CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 8:52 pm from KBLH
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.