# NTSB GAA17CA375: Urbanczyk Miroslaw Radio Flyer, N385MU, Tehachapi, CA, June 30, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2017, 17:37 local (Jun 30, 2017, 00:37 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.134998, -118.439445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1350&lon=-118.4394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA375 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from residential buildings and trees in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05628PC), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05628PC), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05628PC), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05628PC), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05628PC), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628PC), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a local news report, after the accident, the noncertificated pilot stated, "The wind got the better of me and the near-death experience is pretty interesting." He further stated, "I tried to level out before the crash into the house and aimed for the tree. I thought we were dead and I pulled the yoke as far as I could to get the elevation leveled out, which saved our life. I hit the tree with the wing and we spun and landed." Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in the residential neighborhood. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. After multiple requests, the noncertificated pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot departed on runway 29. ## Factual narrative According to a local news report, after the accident the non-certificated pilot stated, "The wind got the better of me and the near death experience is pretty interesting." He further stated, "I tried to level out before the crash into the house and aimed for the tree. I thought we were dead and I pulled the yoke as far as I could to get the elevation leveled out, which saved our life. I hit the tree with the wing and we spun and landed." Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in the residential neighborhood. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. After multiple requests, the non-certificated pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, as required. The automated weather observation system on the accident site airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind from 320° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot departed on runway 29. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N385MU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N385MU-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 01, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: URBANCZYK MIROSLAW RADIO FLYER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/urbanczyk-miroslaw-radio-flyer) (registry code 05628PC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Verner MTR 133MK](https://openairdocs.org/engine/verner-mtr-133mk) (registry code 63701, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Year built: 2009 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Destination: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: TSP, Tehachapi Muni, runway 29, 4,040 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; medical: unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 17 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KTSP ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20170629008749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170629008749A), Jun 29, 2017: Urbanczyk Miroslaw RADIO FLYER, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. On June 29, 2017, [privacy data omitted] non FAA certificated pilot, purchased accident aircraft from owner [privacy data omitted]at Tehachapi Municipal… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95464. 581 KB in all. - Accident Photo (item 1, .PDF, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 273 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.