Amateur-built RV-9 accident near Morgan Hill, California, June 23, 2025
On June 23, 2025 at about 7:17 pm local time, a 2006 amateur-built RV-9, registered N696WG, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Morgan Hill, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2025 · about 7:17 pm local time
- Place
- Morgan Hill, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-9, built 2006
- Registration
- N696WG · no longer on the register · serial 90842
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On June 23, 2025, about 1217 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans Aircraft Inc RV-9 airplane, N696WG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Morgan Hill, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that about 4,500 ft mean sea level, the airplane’s engine made a pronounced sound for about 2 seconds, and then both the oil pressure and fuel pressure rapidly decreased to zero. The engine initially continued to operate, but shortly afterwards lost all power. Unable to make it to an airport, the pilot made a forced landing on an open field. During the landing sequence, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid a sports track, and one of its wheels struck a berm which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. The airplane was recovered and retained at a secure facility for further examination.
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
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: SQL San Carlos CA at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 12:15 pm from KE16, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KE16 231915Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/08 A2995 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.