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NTSB Report
July 29, 1988 · Rearwin 8500 · N15855
Glendale, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Glendale, CA
Aircraft
Rearwin 8500
Tail Number
N15855
Operator
Otto Thress Jr
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX88FA273
THE PILOT HAD PENETRATED A TCA WITHOUT CLEARANCE WHEN, AT THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, A POLICE HELICOPTER GAVE CHASE. AS THE HELICOPTER NEARED THE AIRPLANE THE HELICOPTER CREW REPORTED THAT PARTS WERE FALLING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE HELICOPTER FOLLOWED THE AIRPLANE AS IT DESCENDED AND TOUCHED DOWN IN A ROUGH DRY RIVER BED. THE AIRPLANES LANDING GEAR SHEARED ON TOUCHDOWN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. AN ENGINE EXAM REVEALED A CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED AND SHEARED THE PROPELLER.
NTSB Probable Cause
SEPERATION OF AN ENGINE CYLINDER THAT MOVED INTO THE PLANE OF THE WOODEN PROPELLER BLADES. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE SHEARED BY THE DISLODGED CYLINDER. THE ROUGH LANDING SURFACE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD PENETRATED A TCA WITHOUT CLEARANCE WHEN, AT THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, A POLICE HELICOPTER GAVE CHASE. AS THE HELICOPTER NEARED THE AIRPLANE THE HELICOPTER CREW REPORTED THAT PARTS WERE FALLING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE HELICOPTER FOLLOWED THE AIRPLANE AS IT DESCENDED AND TOUCHED DOWN IN A ROUGH DRY RIVER BED. THE AIRPLANES LANDING GEAR SHEARED ON TOUCHDOWN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. AN ENGINE EXAM REVEALED A CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED AND SHEARED THE PROPELLER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:01 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRearwin 8500
Tail NumberN15855
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOtto Thress Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsUnknown · LEBOND 85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC