Amateur-built JA35 SUPERSTOL accident near Moorpark, California, May 6, 2023
On May 6, 2023 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 2022 amateur-built JA35 SUPERSTOL, registered N799CP, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Moorpark, California. It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an off airport precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight with a possible mechanical malfunction.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 2023 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Moorpark, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built JA35 SUPERSTOL, built 2022
- Registration
- N799CP · registry record · serial JA622-03-21
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a series of take offs and landings, the “A line red light” for the engine’s fuel pump illuminated, twice. Both times, he shut down the engine to reset the engine’s computer and restarted the engine. The pilot reported knowledge of a potential mechanical malfunction prior to leaving the airport environment, during the accident flight. He continued the flight to a remote area where the light illuminated again, followed by the low-pressure fuel warning light. The pilot elected to land the airplane on a deserted dirt road. While landing, the sun impeded his vision and the airplane landed beside the road, on rough terrain. During the landing roll, the airplane’s main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during enroute (cruise)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pressure › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,100 hours in all; 49 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 1,100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 150 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2023; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 915IS (piston); 150 hours total
- Operator: Emerald Isle Apartments LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KCMA Camarillo CA at 1:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 am from KCMA, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCMA 061355Z 05004KT 10SM CLR 12/09 A3006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 21, 2023. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 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.