# NTSB LAX94LA252: Twibell Richard Dale Tiny TWO, N52535, Hesperia, CA, June 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1994, 10:01 local (17:01 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.270645, -117.189712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2706&lon=-117.1897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA252

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot was on a pleasure flight when he encountered a loss of engine power. He reported hearing two loud noises from the engine. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and he elected to ditch the aircraft into a lake. The aircraft sank in 30 feet of water and has not been recovered.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 1994, at 1001 hours Pacific daylight time, a Twibell Tiny Two, N52535, collided with water near Hesperia, California, during a forced landing.  The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.  The flight originated from Apple Valley, California, about 0930 hours on the day of the accident as a local pleasure flight.

In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he was sightseeing over Silverwood Lake at 4,500 feet when the engine made two noises and quit.  The pilot elected to land in the lake rather than in a congested parking lot.  The aircraft sank in about 30 feet of water and has not been recovered.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52535](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52535-1997-07-31), registration cancelled 1997-07-31, S/N 001RT (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TWIBELL RICHARD DALE TINY TWO
- Registry model: [Twibell Richard Dale TINY TWO](https://openairdocs.org/model/twibell-richard-dale-tiny-two) (registry code 05620TF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001RT
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: Volkswagen 1700CC 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dedrick, Raymond C.
- Registered owner: Dedrick, Raymond C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1994, 35 hours before
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,323 total, 9 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDW

## 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 19940612015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940612015069A), Jun 12, 1994: Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Ditched in lake. Cause unknown. Not recovered.

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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