Amateur-built CH701 accident near Byron, California, August 30, 2026
On August 30, 2026 at about 4:05 pm local time, a 2019 amateur-built CH701, registered N701WJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Byron, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. 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 30, 2026 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Byron, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CH701, built 2019
- Registration
- N701WJ · registry record · serial 7-10529
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 30, 2026, about 0905 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith CH701, N701WJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Byron Airport (C83), Byron, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had previously sustained damage in an accident at Byron in 2019 (see NTSB report WPR20LA035). It was subsequently repaired by the pilot, with work including reconstruction of the aft fuselage, construction of a new rudder, and fabrication of a new set of wings. Following completion of the repairs, engine and systems testing was conducted. The day before the accident, additional taxi tests, high-speed runs, and takeoff tests with immediate landings were performed at Byron, with no anomalies reported. On the day of the accident, the pilot taxied the airplane to the run-up area following which he conducted two additional cycles of high-speed taxi and takeoff tests on runway 23. After observing normal operation, the pilot elected to takeoff and remain in the traffic pattern. While climbing through approximately 300 ft agl, the pilot observed a decrease in engine rpm followed by a total loss of power. The pilot reported that his attention was focused on returning to the airport for landing and he did not have sufficient time to troubleshoot the loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane toward the airport and landed in a grass area adjacent to the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial to the leading edges of both wings, left-wing strut, rudder and aft fuselage. The airplane was retained 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 initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: C83 Byron CA at 4:04 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KLVK, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KLVK 301853Z 30005KT 10SM CLR 22/11 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP133 T02220106=
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.
Other NTSB records under N701WJ the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.