On August 3, 2017, a small experimental aircraft crashed into the backyard of a home in Rio Linda, just north of Sacramento, killing the pilot and prompting a federal investigation.
The pilot was identified as Dr. Marshall Michaelian, 71, a dentist from Meadow Vista and an experienced aviator who volunteered with a Northern California nonprofit organization. He was the only person aboard the Lancair IV-P experimental aircraft when it went down shortly before 3 p.m. near McClellan Airfield.
Fortunately, no one on the ground was injured, although the aircraft narrowly missed nearby homes. Emergency crews responded quickly, but Michaelian died at the scene.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the wreckage to determine the cause of the accident. According to the NTSB’s final report, the crash occurred after the aircraft lost engine power during flight. While attempting an emergency landing, the pilot failed to maintain sufficient airspeed, causing the airplane to stall before impact.
The NTSB concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a total loss of engine power, resulting in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.
