Lockwood AIRCAM accident near Hemet, CA
On June 8, 2019, a Lockwood AIRCAM (airplane) was involved in an accident near Hemet, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 8, 2019
- Place
- Hemet, CA
- Aircraft
- Lockwood AIRCAM · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.734°N, 117.017°W
- NTSB ID
- 20190608X53318
Official records · WPR19FA161
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 8, 2019, about 0938 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lockwood Aircraft Aircam airplane, N123GN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Hemet, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot’s friends, the accident flight was the first test flight in the airplane after the pilot had received a special airworthiness certificate for the airplane 1 week earlier, allowing him to begin phase I flight testing. On the morning of the accident, the pilot's friends had gathered to watch his first flight. The pilot lined up the airplane on the runway centerline and began a slow ground roll for a few seconds before he advanced the throttles to takeoff power. A few seconds later, during takeoff, the airplane reached about 20 ft above ground level, at which point, the left wing folded upward. The airplane immediately rolled left, descended, and then impacted the ground inverted. A review of a video of the accident recorded by a witness corroborated the witness interviews. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONOnly one of the pilot’s flight logbooks was recovered, which contained flights that occurred between April 24, 2018, and May 18, 2019, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe pilot purchased the airplane kit in 2017. Two friends assisted the pilot during the build process. One of the friends was an airframe and powerplant mechanic who provided instructional assistance, and the ot
Probable cause
The pilot/builder's improper installation of the left wing during the build process, which resulted in the wing failing during takeoff.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
