# NTSB WPR22FA195: Meyer Fred J Hornet, N6366M, Lucerne Valley, CA, June 2, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: June 2, 2022, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lucerne Valley, CA · Residential property - Coordinates: 34.431885, -116.86114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4319&lon=-116.8611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 105178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22FA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105178/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105178 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA195 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Meyer Fred J HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05605M2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Meyer Fred J HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05605M2), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Meyer Fred J HORNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05605M2), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers over desert terrain. A witness reported that the airplane entered a “barrel roll climb,” followed by a “stall.” The airplane then entered an inverted, nose-down “dive” before rolling upright, but continuing its nose-down descent. The witness then lost sight of the airplane behind trees. The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-down attitude and was significantly fragmented. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Flight tracking data ended about 1 mile from the accident site at an altitude about 2,725 ft above ground level (agl). Given the available information, it could not be determined whether the pilot lost control of the airplane and was unable to recover before impacting terrain, or entered an intentional aerobatic maneuver with insufficient altitude. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2022, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Hornet, N6366M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lucerne Valley, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the pilot departed Big Bear Lake City Airport (L35), Big Bear, California, about 1115 and maneuvered to the north towards Lucerne Valley, California, south of California Highway 247. The airplane traveled east while performing aerobatic maneuvers, and then proceeded west. The last recorded data point was located about 1 mile east of the accident site and indicated an altitude about 2,725 ft agl, and groundspeed of 108 knots (kts). See figure 1. Figure 1. View of ADS-B data plot over Google Earth map A witness stated that he saw the airplane performing inverted maneuvers, steep climbing rolls, and barrel rolls. He stated that, before the accident, the airplane entered a “barrel roll climb,” followed by a “stall,” after which it entered an inverted, nose-down “dive.” The airplane then rolled upright but continued the nose-down descent with wings level before descending out of his sight behind trees. Shortly after, the witness heard a loud “thud” and notified emergency services. The airplane impacted a dirt field within a residential property 10 nautical miles north of L35 at an elevation of 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl). The wreckage debris path was about 200 ft long and oriented on a magnetic heading of 280°. Figure 2 shows the highly fragmented wreckage and debris path, consistent with a high energy impact. Figure 2. View of main wreckage site The airplane came to rest on top of a chain-link fence on a magnetic heading of about 360°. The first point of impact (FPI) was identified by a 10 ft long, 6 ft wide, and 2 ft deep crater and a damaged statue. The FPI contained pieces of the right wing, right aileron, wooden propeller, and fuel lines. Ground scars at the accident site and damage to the airplane were consistent with the airplane impacting terrain in a steep, nose-down and right-wing-low attitude. There was no evidence of post-impact fire, but the odor of fuel was present at the site. All major structural components of the airplane were located within the debris field. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Though the engine sustained significant impact damage, there were no signatures or conditions observed consistent with any preimpact catastrophic mechanical malfunctions to the rotating group, valvetrain, or accessory section. A Flight Data Systems GT-50 instrument was recovered from the airplane. The device is capable of storing maximum and minimum acceleration (g), but due to impact damage the instrument was inoperable, and no data was recovered. The L35 airport manager reported that the pilotwas well versed in aerobatic maneuvers, to include experience in high “G” maneuvers from his time in military aircraft and time in general aviation aerobatic airplanes. He stated that the pilot would fly north over the desert for about 30-45 minutes four or five times a week performing aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot’s autopsy was performed by a pathologist contracted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Coroner Division, San Bernardino, California. According to the pilot’s autopsy report and a supplemental report from the Office of the Sheriff/Coroner, the pilot’s cause of death was instantaneous blunt force injuries, and his manner of death was accidental. The Federal Aviation Administration's Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological tests on specimens recovered from the pilot. The pilot’s postmortem toxicological testing did not detect any ethanol or drugs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6366M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6366M), registered now, S/N 001, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MEYER FRED J HORNET - Registry model: [Meyer Fred J HORNET](https://openairdocs.org/model/meyer-fred-j-hornet) (registry code 05605M2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: L35, Big Bear Lake, CA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: fatal; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: single; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KL35, 10 nm away - METAR: KL35 021815Z AUTO 27006KT 10SM CLR 20/M03 A3014 RMK AO2 ## 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 20220602009469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220602009469A), Jun 2, 2022: Meyer Fred J HORNET, Lucerne Valley, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. At approximately 1115L, [privacy data omitted], an experimental amateur built fred Meyer 360 Hornet aircraft, departed big bear city airport (L35) and crashed… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105178. 3.2 MB in all. - Memorandum of record - witness statements (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17189141&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Summary of field and follow-up exams (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17188044&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=SUMMARY%20OF%20FIELD%20AND%20FOLLOW-UP%20EXAMINATION%20NOTES%20-Rel.pdf - GPS track (plot) (item 3, KMZ, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17188258&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=38565_20220602182500_Once-Rel.kmz - Adsb data file (item 4, CSV, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17187301&FileExtension=csv&FileName=38565_20220602182500_Once-Rel.csv - Electronic device - specialist's factual report (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17055003&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22FA195%20Electronic%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf - Toxicology (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17189131&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Lycoming party form (item 7, PDF, 14 pages, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17189293&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20party%20form_Lycoming_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17187964&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release-of-Wreckage-Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17188055&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-%20WPR22FA195%20GT-50%20_Redacted-Rel.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.