Amateur-built RV 8 accident near Grimes, California, July 17, 2020
On July 17, 2020 at about 8:45 pm local time, a 2000 amateur-built RV 8, registered N508CM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Grimes, California (Cecil Airstrip 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
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2020 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Grimes, California · Cecil Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV 8 Undesignat, built 2000
- Registration
- N508CM · no longer on the register · serial 80698
- 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 he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,927 hours in all; 445 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 3,624 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,004 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 89 in the last 90 days; 43 in the last 30 days; 873 as pilot in command; 532 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 30, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 754.2 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 7, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 65 hours total
The flight
- Destination: O08 Colusa CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway UNK, 1,800 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KMYV, 16 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMYV 172053Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM CLR 31/15 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP125 T03060150 58012
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.