Airborne Windsports PTY LTD EDGE XT-912-L accident near Red Bluff, California, July 29, 2013
On July 29, 2013 at about 4:51 pm local time, a 2008 Airborne Windsports PTY LTD EDGE XT-912-L (weight-shift aircraft), registered N123FJ, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Red Bluff, California (Red Bluff airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to properly secure himself in the cockpit with the seat belt, which resulted in his inability to control the airplane after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2013 · about 4:51 pm local time
- Place
- Red Bluff, California · Red Bluff · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airborne Windsports PTY LTD EDGE XT-912-L, built 2008 · all EDGE XT-912-Ls on the register
- Registration
- N123FJ · no longer on the register · serial XT-912-0294
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness reported observing the weight-shift tricycle airplane take off, make a very steep climb, roll right, and then descend vertically to the ground. A postimpact fire ensued and destroyed the airplane. The witness also reported hearing full-power engine noise coming from the airplane throughout the climb and vertical descent. Another witness, who arrived on-scene immediately after the accident, stated that the pilot was immobile and about 6 ft away from the wreckage. An autopsy of the pilot did not reveal any injuries that are typically associated with seatbelt usage, and it is likely that he was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident. A flight instructor who instructs in weight-shift tricycle airplanes stated that, without the seatbelt fastened, moving the airplane's weight around would pull the pilot out of the seat.
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 initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › Flight compartment equipment › Not used/operated
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 419 hours in all; 7 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 14, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 405.0 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 5, 2013
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 405 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KRBL Red Bluff CA at 4:51 pm
- Destination: KCIC Chico CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 5,431 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from KRBL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR13LA347.