American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB accident near Jamesburg, California, August 31, 2025
On August 31, 2025 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1999 American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB, registered N15WJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Jamesburg, California (Salinas Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people 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
- August 31, 2025 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Jamesburg, California · Salinas Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB, built 1999 · all 8KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N15WJ · registry record · serial 824-99
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 31, 2025, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, an American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon 177, N3357T, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Jamesburg, California. The pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that they were on a scenic flight, maneuvering over a canyon area between 1,500 to 2,000 ft above ground level (agl) with clear skies and no turbulence. With the pilot-rated passenger on the controls, she leveled off about 2,000 ft agl, and then commented that the airplane “wanted to keep descending.” As directed by the pilot, she advanced the throttle to full power, but the airplane continued to descend. She maintained the airplane’s heading while the pilot manipulated the throttle, but there was no response from the engine and the airplane continued to descend and lose airspeed. The pilot then initiated a precautionary landing onto rough terrain where the airplane struck a tree and came to rest on sloped terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The airplane was recovered to 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 control in flight during maneuvering defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,190 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 20, 2024; 120 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: SNS Salinas CA at 4:05 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KSNS, 19 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSNS 311753Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 28/11 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP140 T02780111 10278 20133 58003
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.