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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 22, 1987 · Boeing A75N1 · N90840

San Ardo, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
San Ardo, CA
Aircraft
Boeing A75N1
Tail Number
N90840
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA214

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING WHERE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES THEN CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN APRX THREE FT OF WATER. THE ACFT HAS HISTORY OF FOULED SPARK PLUGS RESULTING IN A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REMOVED AND INSPECTED, NOTING THAT THE NUMBER 4 PLUG WAS FINGER TIGHT. FRONT AND BACK PLUGS 1, 2, 6, AND 7 DISPLAYED NORMAL OPERATING SIGNATURES. NUMBERS 3, 4, AND 5 WHEN REMOVED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF A WATER AND OIL MIXTURE DRAINED. A SANDY TYPE SUBSTANCE AND VEGETATION WERE NOTED ON THE PLUGS.THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION NOTED IN THE REST OF THE SYSTEM.

Full Narrative

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING WHERE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES THEN CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN APRX THREE FT OF WATER. THE ACFT HAS HISTORY OF FOULED SPARK PLUGS RESULTING IN A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REMOVED AND INSPECTED, NOTING THAT THE NUMBER 4 PLUG WAS FINGER TIGHT. FRONT AND BACK PLUGS 1, 2, 6, AND 7 DISPLAYED NORMAL OPERATING SIGNATURES. NUMBERS 3, 4, AND 5 WHEN REMOVED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF A WATER AND OIL MIXTURE DRAINED. A SANDY TYPE SUBSTANCE AND VEGETATION WERE NOTED ON THE PLUGS.THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION NOTED IN THE REST OF THE SYSTEM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing A75N1
Tail NumberN90840
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · W6706N · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 19 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:52
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data