Siai-Marchetti SF260 accident near Fullerton, California, August 25, 2016
On August 25, 2016 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1977 Siai-Marchetti SF260, registered N16FD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Fullerton, California (Fullerton Muni airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to set the flaps to the proper takeoff setting before takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall during takeoff and loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 25, 2016 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Fullerton, California · Fullerton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Siai-Marchetti SF260 D, built 1977 · all SF260s on the register
- Registration
- N16FD · no longer on the register · serial 305
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
An aerobatic training flight was flown by an airline transport pilot. The preflight, taxi, and initial takeoff roll were uneventful until just after rotation, when the airplane began rolling left. The pilot attempted to correct for the roll to the left by adding full right aileron and rudder, but the airplane continued to roll to the left and impacted the ground off the left side of the runway. After the airplane impacted the ground, it continued to travel across a flight school ramp, striking four airplanes, and impacting a hangar, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. A small postaccident fire ensued. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A review of onboard video revealed that, as the airplane was taxiing to the runway hold line, the left flap was in the neutral (or retracted) position. Furthermore, the pilot and the passenger discussed the takeoff, but make no mention of the flap position before takeoff. The airplane operations manual and the Before Take-off checklist state that the takeoff flap setting was 20. However, video evidence shows that the pilot failed to set the flaps to the takeoff setting before takeoff which would have resulted in decreased lift, and an increased stall speed. The pilot was likely unaware of the flap setting as the airplane aerodynamic stalled and the pilot was not able to maintain airplane control. Airport surveillance video depict the airplane on the runway and accelerating. About 3 seconds later, the nose gear and left main gear were clear of the runway, and the airplane banked slightly to the right. About 2 seconds after that, the airplane was airborne and pitched up slightly and was rolling to the left; 1 second later, the left bank increased to about 15° consistent with the airplane at or near an aerodynamic stall.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,777 hours in all; 7.6 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 25, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,773.1 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 5, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 2,430 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming 0-540 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Air Combat, USA
The flight
- Departed from: FUL Fullerton CA at 1:00 am
- Destination: FUL Fullerton CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,121 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KFUL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 WPR16LA167.