# NTSB LAX86FA249: Carnes Osprey 2, N627JC, Julian, CA, June 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1986, 17:25 local (Jun 9, 1986, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Julian, CA
- Coordinates: 33.019424, -116.490287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0194&lon=-116.4903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA249

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft performance - inadequate (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate handling/perf capabilities, manufacturer (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

WITNESS STATEMENTS & EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF A STALL-SPIN TYPE ACCIDENT NEAR THE END OF THE CLOSED PORTION OF A BOX CANYON ABOUT 200 FEET BELOW THE TOP OF THE RIDGE. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT/BUILDER EXTENSIVELY MODIFIED THE AIRCRAFT AS BUILT FROM THE ORIGINAL PLANS/SPECIFICATIONS. ALL OF THE MODIFICATIONS ATTEMPTED BY THE PILOT WERE, ACCORDING TO THE AIRCRAFT DESIGNER, PROVEN TO INDUCE LONGITUDINAL STABILITY PROBLEMS DURING FLIGHT TESTING OF THE PROTOTYPE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT COMMENTED TO HIS ASSOCIATES THAT HE WOULD EXPERIENCE CONTROL PROBLEMS IN TURBULENCE, REPORTEDLY SAYING THAT 'IN TURBULENCE THE NOSE WOULD COME UP ALMOST VERTICAL.' WINDS AT 30 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 40 KNOTS WERE REPORTED IN THE CANYON BY FOREST SERVICE PILOTS IN ADDITION TO MODERATE TURBULENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N627JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N627JC-1991-04-08), registration cancelled 1991-04-08, S/N 378 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CARNES OSPREY 2
- Registry model: [Carnes Jesse R OSPREY II](https://openairdocs.org/model/carnes-jesse-r-osprey-ii) (registry code 957052A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 378
- Airframe hours: 33
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jesse R. Carnes
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: CXL, CALEXICO, CA
- Destination: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 278 total, 33 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19860608022769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860608022769A), Jun 8, 1986: Amtros OSPREY2, Julian, CA, Destroyed. The pilot lost control of the aircraft in turbulence. Unauthorized modifications made to amateur built aircraft.

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.