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January 5, 1987 · Varga 2150A · N5076V

Hayward, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Hayward, CA
Aircraft
Varga 2150A
Tail Number
N5076V
Operator
Action Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA076

AFTER RTRNG FM A FLT, THE PLT TOOK OFF AGAIN (USING RWY 28L) & TURNED TO THE SE. A WITNESS (SE OF THE ARPT), SAID HE SAWTHE ACFT AT LOW ALT (ESTD 100 TO 200 FT) FLYING IN HIS DRCTN. HE NOTED NO OTR INDCN OF A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE ACFT MADE A 'VERY SHARP BANKING TURN TO THE LEFT' & REVERSED DRCTN BACK TO THE ARPT. THE WITNESS SAID THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED, THE ENG SPUTTERED & THE ACFT SUDDENLY ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED NEAR THE APCH END OF RWY 28L. BFR GND IMPACT, THE ACFT HIT PWR LINES, CAUSING A PWR OUTAGE IN THE AREA. THE FUEL SYS WAS CONFIG- URED FOR BOTH TANKS TO FEED. ONE FUEL TANK WAS FND EMPTY, THE OTR HAD APRX 5 GAL REMAINING; HOWEVER, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT MAY HAVE LEAKED AFTER THE CRASH WAS NOT VERIFIED. AN ENG TEAR DOWN SHOWED NO INDCN OF A PREIMPACT MECH FAILURE, BUTTHE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE 'OFF' PSN. TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 47 & 45 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS SHOWEDTHAT SERIOUS CARB ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE AT A CRUISE OR GLIDE POWER SETTING.

Full Narrative

AFTER RTRNG FM A FLT, THE PLT TOOK OFF AGAIN (USING RWY 28L) & TURNED TO THE SE. A WITNESS (SE OF THE ARPT), SAID HE SAWTHE ACFT AT LOW ALT (ESTD 100 TO 200 FT) FLYING IN HIS DRCTN. HE NOTED NO OTR INDCN OF A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE ACFT MADE A 'VERY SHARP BANKING TURN TO THE LEFT' & REVERSED DRCTN BACK TO THE ARPT. THE WITNESS SAID THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED, THE ENG SPUTTERED & THE ACFT SUDDENLY ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED NEAR THE APCH END OF RWY 28L. BFR GND IMPACT, THE ACFT HIT PWR LINES, CAUSING A PWR OUTAGE IN THE AREA. THE FUEL SYS WAS CONFIG- URED FOR BOTH TANKS TO FEED. ONE FUEL TANK WAS FND EMPTY, THE OTR HAD APRX 5 GAL REMAINING; HOWEVER, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT MAY HAVE LEAKED AFTER THE CRASH WAS NOT VERIFIED. AN ENG TEAR DOWN SHOWED NO INDCN OF A PREIMPACT MECH FAILURE, BUTTHE CARB HEAT WAS FND IN THE 'OFF' PSN. TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 47 & 45 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS SHOWEDTHAT SERIOUS CARB ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE AT A CRUISE OR GLIDE POWER SETTING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:37 PST
Nearest AirportHayward Air Terminal (0nm N)
Runway28L
Runway Length5019 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVarga 2150A
Tail NumberN5076V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAction Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2C · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data