Redlands Municipal Airport, Redlands, CA

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Airport Area Accident History:

On February 08, 2010, about 1250 Pacific standard time, an experimental Yakovlev Yak 52, N52VY, collided with terrain while maneuvering near Redlands, California. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot, who was the owner, and second pilot were killed; the airplane was substantially damaged. The local area personal flight departed from Redlands about 1230. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

Numerous witnesses to the accident were interviewed by a Safety Board investigator. One witness reported observing the airplane perform aerobatics and then return to the airport. The pilot shut down the airplane and deplaned. Shortly thereafter, he boarded the airplane and departed again, proceeding directly to the aerobatic box just northeast of the airport. The airplane completed several loops and other stunts over the course of about 10 minutes. The witness observed the airplane in a rapid descent in a nose low position with the wings rocking about the longitudinal axis.

Another witness stated that the pilot asked for a funnel to put oil in the onboard smoke system. A short while later, the airplane departed and the pilot performed aerobatics for about 10 to 15 minutes. The witness observed the airplane at a low altitude begin a spin with white smoke emanating from the smoke machine. The airplane's rotation increased as the airplane neared terrain and subsequently crashed.

The wreckage was located at an elevation of about 1,660 feet mean sea level (msl). The accident site was approximately 1.2 nautical miles from the Redlands Municipal Airport on a bearing of 60 degrees. The main wreckage, consisting of the fuselage, tail section, and wings, had come to rest within the aerobatic box designated near the airport. The wreckage was on relatively flat terrain consisting of rocks and low vegetation.

Accident occurred Saturday, July 28, 2007 in Redlands, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/31/2007
Aircraft: Beech C35, registration: N8973A
Injuries: 1 Minor.
While on short final the pilot stalled the airplane and it impacted rough/uneven terrain. After the pilot announced his intention to land, another pilot radioed that he was preparing to takeoff on the same runway. The accident pilot said he slowed his airplane down to allow the other airplane to depart. He heard the stall warning horn, and then applied power in an attempt to maintain the airplane's speed and altitude above the ground. He lost control of the airplane, and it impacted the ground close to the approach end of the runway.

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

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.

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Accident occurred Friday, June 22, 2007 in Redlands, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/31/2007
Aircraft: Commonwealth 185, registration: N92827
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The pilot reported that he and the passenger, who was the owner of the airplane, were going for a local flight. The airplane was powered by an 85 horsepower engine and manufactured in 1946. Approximately 0.5-miles from their departure airport, the airplane suddenly began to sink so the pilot turned the airplane into the wind. The airplane began to climb and then encountered downdrafts and an excessive sink rate developed. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and force-landed the airplane in a gravel quarry. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The temperature at the time was approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in the airplane's lack of climb performance and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors included the downdraft and the high temperature.

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Accident occurred Sunday, June 10, 2007 in Redlands, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/2007
Aircraft: Piper PA-28-161, registration: N130RJ
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
On approach to landing the flight instructor, who occupied the right pilot seat, observed a loss of engine power. After landing and during the rollout the engine quit, followed by the left seat student pilot observing flames coming from his side of the engine cowling. The instructor pilot subsequently noticed smoke and flames coming from his side of the cowling, prompting the instructor and his student to evacuate the airplane. An examination of the airplane revealed thermal damage to the firewall and all four engine mounts. Two days after the accident an FAA inspector observed the operation of the electric fuel pump to be "normal." The inspector also reported that while observing the operation of the electric fuel pump he observed the carburetor leaking a steady stream of fluid. A subsequent examination of the airplane's carburetor revealed that prior to flow testing, the unit did flood before being tapped, after which it held fuel pressure. An
examination/teardown of the carburetor revealed that the carburetor float was restricted due to a misadjusted retractor clip, which allowed fuel to pass the needle valve before being expelled from the carburetor and ignited by an undetermined source. It was also revealed by an FAA inspector that 2 days prior to the accident flight an incorrect electric fuel pump had been installed on the airplane during a 100-hour inspection, with a designation "FOR EXPERIMENTAL USE ONLY."

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

The restriction of the carburetor float as a result of a misadjusted retractor clip. A contributing factor was the fire.

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Accident occurred Sunday, April 23, 2006 in Redlands, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/29/2006
Aircraft: Cessna 170B, registration: N3190A
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
During the takeoff roll the pilots lost directional control of the airplane and swerved off the runway. The airplane was substantially damaged upon hitting a fence and came to rest in a gully 200 to 300 feet north of the runway. The certified flight instructor (CFI) indicated that he was providing dual instruction to his student, and they lost control of the airplane upon encountering a 90-degee, 10-knot, wind gust . He also reported that during the mishap there was control interference difficulties between himself and the student that made regaining control difficult.

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

the student's inadequate compensation for the crosswind gust and failure to maintain directional control. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was control interference between the two pilots during the initial stages of the loss of control .

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Accident occurred Saturday, January 03, 2004 in Redlands, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/30/2004
Aircraft: Cessna 172F, registration: N5184F
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The airplane collided with a light post while attempting a go-around. Reported conditions were: winds at 15 knots with gusts to 27 knots; windshear; and a strong crosswind. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind in excess of 30 knots. The airplane veered off the runway into the adjacent gravel area. The pilot applied full power to regain flight control so that he could perform a go-around. After becoming airborne, the leading edge of the airplane's left wing collided with a light post, damaging the aileron. With the left flight control surface damaged, the pilot decided to return to the flight's origin point where the winds were from 030 degrees at 8 knots. He landed uneventfully. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

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

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were a crosswind and wind gusts.

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Accident occurred Monday, December 15, 2003 in Redlands, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/7/2005
Aircraft: Robinson R22 Beta, registration: N1225D
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
The helicopter crashed vertically in a city street during an autorotation following a loss of engine power. The pilot was on his second logged flight since obtaining his rotorcraft rating and was on a solo cross-country flight when witnesses reported hearing the engine miss-fire and then quit. The witnesses saw the helicopter's main rotor blades coning up and then stop rotation completely. The helicopter fell straight down to a city street below. The magneto switch was found in the off position with no sign of impact damage to the switch or key. An evaluation of the crash dynamics, the force vectors involved, and the structural deformation of the helicopter could not explain the magneto switch position. Witnesses to the accident said the magneto switch was not turned off by anyone after the accident. Examination of the engine and helicopter systems found no anomalies that would have prevented their normal operation. The engine roughness heard by the
witnesses coupled with the magneto switch position may indicate that the pilot was attempting to diagnose an engine roughness by selectively turning off one magneto at a time and in the process, he may have inadvertently selected the both off position. The pilot was in the right seat and manipulation of the magneto switch would have required him to take his hand off the collective, which could have resulted in a delay in reacting to the loss of engine power. Toxicology reports on the pilot showed that chlorpheniramine was detected in blood at a level several times higher than the level expected with a typical maximum single over-the-counter dose of the medication. Chlorpheniramine is an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine commonly used for cold and allergy symptoms and is present in many over-the-counter multisymptom preparations. In typical doses, the medication has measurable adverse effects on performance of complex cognitive and motor tasks. It
is likely that the pilot's performance and judgment were impaired by chlorpheniramine. The Federal Aviation Administration instructs Aviation Medical Examiners that, "any airman who is undergoing continuous treatment with... sedating antihistaminic...drugs... must be deferred certification..."

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

a loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently turning off the magnetos and his failure to initiate an autorotation and to maintain main rotor rpm. A factor in the accident was the pilot's use of an over-the-counter medication that impaired his judgment and/or performance.

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Accident occurred Tuesday, March 19, 2002 in REDLANDS, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/25/2003
Aircraft: Piper PA28R-200, registration: N5060T
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The airplane made a hard landing resulting in damage to a wing rib. The pilot was preparing for a certified flight instructor check ride. On the fifth landing, the pilot encountered a strong updraft about 15 feet above ground level (agl), and pulled power. This was immediately followed by a downdraft. The airplane touched down hard on the right main landing gear. The pilot completed two more landings and returned to Palm Springs. A follow-up maintenance examination discovered damage to a wing rib. The Safety Board was informed of the accident on April 8, 2002.

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

The pilot failed to compensate for the wind condtions when he encountered an updraft followed by a downdraft.

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Accident occurred Saturday, March 31, 2001 in Redlands, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/3/2002
Aircraft: Stinson 108-1, registration: N8158K
Injuries: 1 Serious.
Prior to taking off for the accident flight the fuel tanks had been refueled. While cruising about 13 minutes later, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot reported that no vibration was felt prior to the power loss. In an attempt at restoring engine power, the pilot applied the carburetor heat , changed the mixture setting, and repositioned the ignition key. None of his actions were successful, and he made a forced landing about 1.5 miles north-northeast of his destination. During the landing rollout in rough terrain, the airplane collided with a berm. The airplane was subsequently examined. During the teardown inspection of the engine and accessories, no evidence of any preimpact malfunction was noted. Both the carburetor finger screen and the gascolator fuel screen were observed clear. The magnetos were functional. The carburetor heat control worked. The reason for the non-mechanical total loss of engine power was not determined.
The airplane was manufactured in 1946.

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

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight over rough terrain for undetermined non-mechanical reasons.



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