Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, CA

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Airport Area Accident History:

On January 9, 2010, about 1308 Pacific standard time, an experimental weight-shift-control Airborne Streak 2, N155TD, collided with terrain near Lake Isabella, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot, who did not possess a pilot certificate, and one passenger were killed; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The local personal flight departed at an unknown time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

One witness observed the airplane performing aerobatic maneuvers like a stunt plane all day. The pilot appeared to be attempting to perform loops, and made numerous nose high and nose low maneuvers. The pilot would point the nose toward the ground, and then pull up at the last moment to a high nose up attitude. The witness estimated that the maximum altitude for all of the maneuvers was 300 feet above ground level. He thought that the airplane landed, and then returned and started maneuvering again.

The witness observed the airplane in level flight. The nose went down steeply 45-90 degrees, and then started going up. Just after the nose went above the horizon, the right wing folded up. The engine cut out, and the airplane started down in a free fall spiral to ground impact. He said that there were no birds or any other objects near the airplane when it went down. (Lake Isabella)

Accident occurred Friday, August 31, 2007 in Kernville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/28/2008
Aircraft: Lancair Company LC41-550FG, registration: N2520P
Injuries: 6 Fatal.
Witnesses observed the airplane approach from the south before aborting the first landing attempt. The airplane then made a 180-degree turn to the left for a second attempt to land on runway 35. When the airplane was abeam the approach end of the runway it began a left turn, followed by its nose dropping straight down before impacting terrain and bursting into flames. The airplane came to rest in a near vertical orientation. The airplane was certificated to carry 4 persons; at the time of the accident the airplane was carrying 6 persons. Calculations indicated that the airplane was being operated over its maximum landing weight at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed.

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Accident occurred Wednesday, September 21, 2005 in Kernville, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/29/2006
Aircraft: Thomas RV4, registration: N3882N
Injuries: 1 Serious.
The airplane collided with obstacles off the departure end of the runway following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The airplane took off and reached an altitude of 30 feet when the engine and propeller stopped. The airplane touched down about 150 feet from the end of the runway, overran the pavement, and collided with multiple obstacles. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was in the left tank position. The right wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly full. The left wing had partially separated from the wing root and the fuel line was broken at that location. The left wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly empty. When the left wing was tilted, approximately 1 quart of fluid was observed to drain out. There was no visual evidence or odor of fuel in the ground beneath the left wing. An Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic examined the
airplane's fuel system and reported that there was no fuel found in the fuel line between the engine driven fuel pump and the carburetor. He found about a teaspoon of fuel in the carburetor bowl. He operated the electric fuel pump successfully and disassembled the engine driven fuel pump, noting no peculiarities and an intact diaphragm.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation caused by the pilot's failure to select a tank containing fuel for takeoff. A factor in the accident was the lack of a runway overrun area beyond the departure end of the runway.

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Accident occurred Saturday, October 07, 2000 in KERNVILLE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 9/30/2003
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas 369E, registration: N819CE
Injuries: 1 Minor.
The helicopter rolled over during an emergency landing following a severe vibration and loss of antitorque control. The pilot stated that he was descending from 7,500 feet msl with an indicated airspeed of 125 knots in mountainous terrain and light turbulence. The first indication of trouble was a loud snap sound from the rear of the helicopter, followed by violent airframe vibrations. The pilot reported that there were no unusual vibrations in any of the controls. He made a right turn to land on the best available terrain. As the turn was completed, antitorque control was lost, and the helicopter began a series of rapid clockwise spins. The helicopter spun at least three times before impact. Examination of the helicopter revealed a torsional failure of the tail rotor drive shaft at 8 inches forward of the aft Kamatics coupling. This failure is consistent with a tail rotor sudden stoppage. Leading edge tail rotor blade damage was observed to both blades,
with red and blue color and material transfers evident. Examination of the tail rotor blade leading edges by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer of the accumulation revealed the material to be of a cellophane base. The pilot reported that prior to departure from Big Creek, he placed a red and blue checkered shirt contained in a plastic bag on the rear seat with other personal baggage. He speculated that during his descent from 7,500 feet, he had experienced some turbulence and the left rear door may have popped open. Neither the bag nor the shirt was recovered at the accident site.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's improper storage of personal items and his inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the unlatching of the left rear cabin door during flight and allowing a plastic garment bag to blow out and strike the tail rotor.

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Accident occurred Sunday, September 24, 2000 in KERNVILLE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/6/2001
Aircraft: WOODRUFF LANCAIR 360, registration: N360HW
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The airplane bounced and veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot was on final and maintaining 85 knots as he initiated his flare. During the flare, he encountered wind shear and the airplane dropped from about 5 feet. The left main landing gear struck some large rocks and separated from the airplane. The pilot said a big upslope was near the runway. He estimated the winds to be from 010 degrees at 10 knots.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot failed to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, resulting in a stall/mush and hard landing, and failed to maintain directional control and the left main landing gear separated when it struck a rock.

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Accident occurred Friday, January 14, 2000 in KERNVILLE, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/2000
Aircraft: Piper PA-38-112, registration: N2572N
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
During preflight planning, the pilot realized he would need an en route fuel stop due to forecast headwinds. About 45 minutes into the flight, his passenger became agitated and he diverted to an alternate airport in his flight path, which was about 25 miles from his planned fuel stop, to take care of the passenger's concerns. He found that there were no fuel services available at this airport, and in recalculating his flight plan, estimated that he had enough fuel to continue the flight to the destination airport without stopping to refuel at his planned en route fuel stop. He stated that after takeoff from the alternate airport it was becoming dark and he was a stressed out due to mountainous terrain on his flight path, as well as his passenger's discomfort. Approximately 5 miles southeast of the accident airport the pilot informed air traffic control that he was low on fuel. He was provided vectors to the accident airport, which did not have a lighted
field. After descending to a lower altitude to locate the airport the engine quit. He switched tanks, and the engine restarted. Approximately 15 seconds later the engine quit again. He saw two cars on a road and landed in-between them. The right wing collided with a road sign during the landing rollout. The fuel tanks were inspected and found to contain residual fuel, with no evidence of leakage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's in-flight decision to not refuel the airplane at an en route stop as planned.



Kern Valley Airport Approach / Landing: