Amateur-built Vans accident near Marysville, California, February 24, 2017
On February 24, 2017 at about 1:30 am local time, a 2008 amateur-built Vans, registered N470LM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Marysville, California (Auburn Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the fragmentation of the electrical system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 24, 2017 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Marysville, California · Auburn Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Vans RV-8, built 2008
- Registration
- N470LM · registry record · serial 80070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while en route on the personal cross-country flight, the engine experienced a loss of thrust, and the airspeed slowed. The propeller was windmilling, but the throttle had no effect on the engine. The pilot noted that the propeller circuit breaker had popped out but did not note any other indications of an anomaly in the cockpit. In addition, with the engine operating at partial power, the pilot was unable to maintain level flight so he configured the airplane for the best glide speed. He attempted to regain engine power twice and switched fuel tanks, to no avail. The pilot made a forced landing in a soft field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination noted no evidence of engine mechanical anomalies or thermal distress. There were several wires and a wiring harness disconnected in between the cockpit and the firewall; it is unknown if this happened after impact. During an attempted engine test, a fuel source was rigged to the left fuel tank; the starter solenoid was heard activating, but the engine would not start. An external power source was used in an attempt to start the engine; the engine cranked but would not start. Fuel continuity and pressure in the system was confirmed. The fragmentation of the wreckage, specifically the electrical system, precluded a definitive determination of the cause of the engine failure.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during enroute (cruise)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Powerplant wiring › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,379 hours in all; 3,835 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 250 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru H6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HAF Half Moon Bay CA
- Destination: AUN Auburn CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 21, 2020. 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 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination Notes | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pictures | PDF, 1 page | 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.