Amateur-built MIGLET accident near Corning, California, May 16, 2015
On May 16, 2015 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 2014 amateur-built MIGLET, registered N414US, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Corning, California (Rancho Tehama Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to a loose set screw, which allowed the throttle cable rig within the connector to slip.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 16, 2015 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Corning, California · Rancho Tehama Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MIGLET, built 2014
- Registration
- N414US · registry record · serial 41
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, was conducting a personal local flight. The pilot reported that, after taking off and while the airplane was between about 100 and 200 ft above ground level (agl) during the initial climb, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The engine power continued to decrease as he climbed the airplane to 300 ft agl. The pilot then chose to land on the remaining available runway. During the landing roll, the airplane's left main landing gear impacted a fence at the end of the runway, which resulted in the separation of the landing gear and substantial damage to the left wing. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a small set screw that actuates the throttle had become loose, which allowed the throttle cable rig within the connector to slip and resulted in the subsequent partial 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 initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › Power lever › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Misc hardware › Fasteners › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 30,000 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 25,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 11, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 70 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 6, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,936 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 4,600 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 49CN Corning CA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: 49CN Corning CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 3,750 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from RBL, 10 miles away
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.