Amateur-built HORNET accident near Lucerne Valley, California, June 2, 2022
On June 2, 2022 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1998 amateur-built HORNET, registered N6366M, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (aerobatics) near Lucerne Valley, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 2, 2022 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lucerne Valley, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built HORNET, built 1998
- Registration
- N6366M · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers over desert terrain. A witness reported that the airplane entered a “barrel roll climb,” followed by a “stall.” The airplane then entered an inverted, nose-down “dive” before rolling upright, but continuing its nose-down descent. The witness then lost sight of the airplane behind trees. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-down attitude and was significantly fragmented. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Flight tracking data ended about 1 mile from the accident site at an altitude about 2,725 ft above ground level (agl). Given the available information, it could not be determined whether the pilot lost control of the airplane and was unable to recover before impacting terrain, or entered an intentional aerobatic maneuver with insufficient altitude.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L35 Big Bear Lake CA at 6:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 am from KL35, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KL35 021815Z AUTO 27006KT 10SM CLR 20/M03 A3014 RMK AO2
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 June 20, 2024. 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 | Memorandum of Record - Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Summary of Field and Follow-up Exams | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | GPS Track (Plot) | map file · our copy | Download |
| 4 | ADS-B Data File | data file · our copy | Download |
| 5 | Electronic Device - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicology | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Lycoming Party Form | PDF, 14 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
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.