# NTSB LAX79FUG52: Rand KR-2, N8029Y, Thermal, CA, August 22, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 22, 1979
- Place: Thermal, CA · THERMAL, CA
- Location: 33.6262° N, 116.1308° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Thermal, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6262&lon=-116.1308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FUG52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUG52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1784  79/8/22  NR.THERMAL,CA         RAND KR-2           CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 144
        TIME - 1320                    N8029Y              PX-  1  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 0 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         THERMAL,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- 1ST FLT OF ACFT.ACFT APPROX 33LBS OVER G/W AT TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8029Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RAND KR-2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790822022109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790822022109A), Aug 22, 1979: Amtrra KR2, Thermal, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Amateur homebuilt on first flight. Observed spinning with engine out before ground impact.

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.

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