Amateur-built SR 2500 accident near Sonoma, California, May 27, 2026
On May 27, 2026 at about 11:19 pm local time, a 2001 amateur-built SR 2500, registered N135DS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sonoma, California (Sonoma Valley Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2026 · about 11:19 pm local time
- Place
- Sonoma, California · Sonoma Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SR 2500, built 2001
- Registration
- N135DS · registry record · serial 30
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he experienced a bounced landing and initiated a go-around. He noted that the go-around was conducted in conditions that reduced the airplane's performance margin as he was operating at a low altitude, low airspeed, and a high gross weight. During the go-around, the airplane encountered shifting wind conditions and drifted left of the runway centerline. As the pilot attempted to correct the drift while establishing a climb, he exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack and entered an aerodynamic stall. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Miscellaneous/other during landing (aborted after touchdown)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Sudden wind shift › Response/compensation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 952 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 880 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 486 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 486 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AUN Auburn CA at 10:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 2,700 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from DVO, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDVO 272315Z AUTO 25013KT 10SM CLR 21/09 A2976 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 3, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.