Amateur-built XS accident near Winters, California, April 13, 2019
On April 13, 2019 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 2012 amateur-built XS, registered N120EJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Winters, California. 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 pilot's failure to properly install a wrist pin circlip, which resulted in internal damage to the No. 5 cylinder and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2019 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Winters, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built XS, built 2012
- Registration
- N120EJ · no longer on the register · serial A210
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a local flight, the pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane, heard a noise accompanied by a sudden vibration and partial loss of engine power. He noted that the No. 5 cylinder exhaust gas temperature was abnormally low. He recycled the throttle, but the vibration persisted, and the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing into a field, during which the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged. The pilot had removed cylinder Nos. 3 and 5 from the airplane to install new piston rings several months (4 flight hours) before the accident. Postaccident examination revealed internal catastrophic damage to the No. 5 cylinder and engine case, consistent with a No. 5 cylinder wrist pin circlip being improperly installed.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,985 hours in all; 197 in this make and model; 12,598 as pilot in command; 4,184 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 189 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 11, 2018; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300A (piston); 189 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DWA Davis/Woodland/Winters CA at 5:40 pm
- Destination: DWA Davis/Woodland/Winters CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on March 3, 2022. 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 | EFIS Device - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversations | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Airplane Examination Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Aircraft Logbooks | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Engine Manufacturer Service Bulletin, Circlips | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 3 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.