Bellanca 17 30 accident near Santa Paula, California, June 27, 2026
On June 27, 2026 at about 7:48 pm local time, a 1973 Bellanca 17 30, registered N501CR, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Santa Paula, California (Santa Paula airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. 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 27, 2026 · about 7:48 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Paula, California · Santa Paula · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 17 30 A, built 1973 · all 17 30s on the register
- Registration
- N501CR · registry record · serial 73-30607
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 7, 2025
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: GEU Glendale AZ at 4:50 pm
- Destination: SZP Santa Paula CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 12:50 pm from KCMA, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KCMA 271950Z 22007G14KT 10SM BKN029 BKN034 BKN042 22/14 A2996 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.