Amateur-built BEAVER accident near Perris, California, December 21, 2014
On December 21, 2014 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 2006 amateur-built BEAVER, registered N105JF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Perris, California (Perris Valley airport). 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
The partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to an improperly configured carburetor and fuel supply system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's loss of airplane control during the off-field landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 21, 2014 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Perris, California · Perris Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BEAVER RX-550, built 2006
- Registration
- N105JF · registry record · serial 105
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the experimental, amateur-built light sport airplane, was conducting a personal flight. The pilot reported that, earlier on the morning of the accident, he had conducted the first flight since he had performed some maintenance to resolve a longstanding engine surging problem and that, during that flight, the engine operated normally. During takeoff for the accident flight, the engine initially performed normally, but when the pilot initiated the crosswind turn, the engine started to make a "hollow" sound, accompanied by a partial loss of power. As the pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane away from power lines during the attempted forced off-field landing, he lost airplane control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Postaccident examination revealed numerous installation and maintenance discrepancies related to the carburetor and fuel supply system, which were not in accordance with the engine manufacturer's installation and maintenance manuals. Any one of these discrepancies could have resulted in the loss of engine power.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Modification/alteration › Owner/builder
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 888 hours in all; 122 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 273 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 6, 2012
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 618.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 3, 2014; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 528 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L65 Perris CA at 6:30 pm
- Destination: L65 Perris CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 1,000 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 6:58 pm from KRIV, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on May 4, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination Report | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine and Airframe Maintenance Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Post-accident Test Run Video | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Rotax Repair and Installation Manual Excerpts | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.