Amateur-built RAPTOR JUNIOR 540 accident near Camarillo, California, January 30, 2024
On January 30, 2024 at about 9:17 pm local time, a 2023 amateur-built RAPTOR JUNIOR 540, registered N906CR, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Camarillo, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the loss of power to the electronic fuel injection and ignition system, which was the result of a loose connection between a common ground feed-through stud and the ground bus.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 30, 2024 · about 9:17 pm local time
- Place
- Camarillo, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RAPTOR JUNIOR 540, built 2023
- Registration
- N906CR · registry record · serial CR-001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
In cruise flight, the pilot noticed a warning indication from the airplane’s avionics display alerting him to a loss of electrical power. Immediately following, the avionics display went dark, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restore electrical power; however, neither the primary nor secondary electrical power was restored. He initiated a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was equipped with an electronic fuel injection and ignition system that required continuous electrical power to operate. Although the airplane was equipped with dual electrical systems for redundancy, both systems shared a common ground. Examination revealed a loose connection between a common ground feed-through stud and the ground bus. This loose connection likely resulted in the loss of electrical power to core aircraft systems, and the subsequent total loss of engine power. No other anomalies were noted with the wreckage that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (total) during enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Electrical pwr sys wiring › Not serviced/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,200 hours in all; 725 in this make and model; 32.4 in the last 90 days; 2.4 in the last 30 days; 5,000 as pilot in command; 1,200 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 17, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,765 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, October 30, 2023; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 (piston); 2,603 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSMO Santa Monica CA at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from KCMA, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCMA 302055Z 30003KT 10SM CLR 19/11 A3001
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 6, 2025. 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 (Pilot) | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot Rated Passenger/builder) | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe and Engine Exam Report | PDF, 8 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.