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NTSB Report
April 25, 1987 · North American F-86F · N86Z
Shafter, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Shafter, CA
Aircraft
North American F-86F
Tail Number
N86Z
Operator
Dave Seuschel Racing Engines
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87DVA06
FOLLOWING AN AIRSHOW, THE PILOT TRANSMITTED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. DURING THE FLARE THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE RUNWAY, AND BURST INTO FLAMES. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT ROTATING (OR WINDMILLING) AND THAT THE EMERGENCY HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS NOT BEING USED. FURTHERMORE, THE EJECTION SEAT WAS DISABLED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING A PARACHUTE.
Full Narrative
FOLLOWING AN AIRSHOW, THE PILOT TRANSMITTED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. DURING THE FLARE THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE RUNWAY, AND BURST INTO FLAMES. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT ROTATING (OR WINDMILLING) AND THAT THE EMERGENCY HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS NOT BEING USED. FURTHERMORE, THE EJECTION SEAT WAS DISABLED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING A PARACHUTE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 PDT
Nearest AirportShafter-Minter Fld (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length4520 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftNorth American F-86F
Tail NumberN86Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDave Seuschel Racing Engines
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGe · J47-27 · Turbojet · 4850
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC