Amateur-built III accident near Hayward, California, October 21, 2020
On October 21, 2020 at about 6:50 pm local time, a 1993 amateur-built III, registered N1YX, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Hayward, California (Heyward Executive Airport). 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
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because of a clogged fuel filter. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance and inspection of the fuel filter.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2020 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Hayward, California · Heyward Executive Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built III, built 1993
- Registration
- N1YX · registry record · serial 3131
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff in the experimental amateur-built airplane, the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a force landing on a golf course where the airplane struck two trees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel filter was clogged with corrosion and the filter bypass was rendered inoperative from the corrosion. Although the airplane had about 30 gallons of fuel on board, it is likely that the clogged fuel filter starved the engine of fuel, which resulted in the total loss of engine power. Maintenance records were not made available to determine the maintenance history of the airplane.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Fuel starvation during takeoff defining event
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Not serviced/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel filter › strainer › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel filter › strainer › Capability exceeded
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 am from KHWD, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHWD 211854Z VRB04KT 10SM CLR 25/12 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP112 T02500122
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.