NTSB Releases Final Report on ICON A5 Accident at Lake Berryessa

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the May 8th accident in which ICON Aircraft employees Jon Karkow and Cagri Sever lost their lives.

The report outlines the flight in detail and describes a variety of factors and data, including environmental conditions, accident‐site analysis, aircraft wreckage and history, flight data recorder, GPS data, and witness statements.

The report concluded that the probable cause of the accident was “the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s mistaken entry into a canyon surrounded by steep rising terrain while at a low altitude for reasons that could not be determined.”

The report states the airplane appeared to be operating normally at the time of the accident and that the “post‐accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.”

“I want to thank the NTSB for its professionalism and thoroughness in this process; this is an important step in reaching closure for the families of Jon and Cagri as well as the ICON team after such a traumatic loss,” said ICON CEO and Founder Kirk Hawkins.

“Jon and Cagri were both extraordinary individuals and are missed tremendously. Cagri had recently joined ICON as a star engineering leader from Ford Motor Company. Jon was a legendary aircraft designer, test pilot, and unsung hero in aviation. He was a founding member of the ICON team, the lead aero engineer on the A5, and a core part of ICON’s DNA. The A5 not only reflects his genius, it represents his love for flying in its purest form–it was his final gift to aviation. The ICON family is committed to carrying the flag forward in Jon and Cagri’s honor.”