N6310N Aviation Accident 2025-04-29
Fatal Accident (1) - Private Champion 7ECA Citabria, N6310N, Flying N Ranch Airport, (CA04), Cottonwood, CA, April 29, 2025.
Interactive Map
Accident Information
| Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fat. | Aircraft Inj. | Ground Fat. | Ground Inj. | ASN Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40°20'34.59"N, 122°20'30.48"W | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Aviation Safety Network |
Aircraft Information
| Type | Operator | Registration | Serial Number | Manufacture Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion 7ECA Citabria | Private | N6310N | 463 | 1967 |
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YouTube Accident Related Video(s)
ASX Accident Report
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, a privately operated Champion 7ECA Citabria, registration number N6310N, crashed near Cottonwood, California at approximately 3:35 p.m. local time. The aircraft was a single-engine, tandem-seat light airplane built in 1967, registered to a Cottonwood resident. Onboard were two occupants: the pilot, who succumbed to injuries at the scene, and a passenger who survived with significant injuries and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire, with smoke from the crash observed on regional monitoring cameras.
The accident took place just south of a rural airstrip near Phyllis Road, in a wooded area where witnesses observed a sudden plume of black smoke following the impact. There were no distress signals or unusual noises reported prior to the crash, according to nearby residents. Responding agencies included the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire, and emergency medical services, all of whom were on site shortly after the incident. The passenger was reportedly ejected from the aircraft during the crash sequence and was found with severe burn injuries, while the pilot was declared deceased on scene. The precise phase of flight was identified as en route, though the aircraft’s departure and destination points were not disclosed in available records.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began their investigation the following morning. Initial steps included on-site documentation and arrangements to transport the wreckage to a secure facility for further examination. Investigators are focusing on multiple potential causal factors, including environmental conditions, witness reports, recorded surveillance imagery, and possible mechanical anomalies. A preliminary report is anticipated within 30 days, with the final analysis dependent on laboratory testing and data validation.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
Tracking and Social Media
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