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NTSB Report
January 20, 1990 · North American Navion · N727G
Apple Valley, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Apple Valley, CA
Aircraft
North American Navion
Tail Number
N727G
Operator
Plaster Buddy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90LA071
THE PILOT PREFLIGHTED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE LOCAL VFR FLIGHT. WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND ON THE AIRPORT AND ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN ROUGH/UNEVEN DIRT AREA ABT 1/2 MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. A POST-ACCIDENT WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DSCLSD THE ENGINE SUSTAINED FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF FUEL; THE FUSELAGE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE LEFT TANK FED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE AIRPLANE AND DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WITH MINIMAL FUEL.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT PREFLIGHTED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE LOCAL VFR FLIGHT. WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND ON THE AIRPORT AND ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN ROUGH/UNEVEN DIRT AREA ABT 1/2 MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. A POST-ACCIDENT WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DSCLSD THE ENGINE SUSTAINED FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF FUEL; THE FUSELAGE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE LEFT TANK FED FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 PST
Nearest AirportApple Valley (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftNorth American Navion
Tail NumberN727G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPlaster Buddy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-H · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO