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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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August 4, 1987 · Navion A · N4388K

Hawthorne, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 2 unknown outcomes)
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Aircraft
Navion A
Tail Number
N4388K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87FA291

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG SPUTTERED THEN REGAINED FULL PWR. THE PLT TURNED TOWARD A NEARBY ARPT AND WAS CLEARED TO LAND. EN ROUTE TO THE ARPT THE ENGINE LOST FULL POWER. WHEN THE PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD MAKE THE RWY HE EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR AND FULL FLAPS, HOWEVER, THE ACFT BEGAN TO DESCEND MORE RAPIDLY AND THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT AND LANDED ON A CITY STREET WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WHEN TESTED THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP LEAKED FUEL AT THE SEALS.

Full Narrative

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG SPUTTERED THEN REGAINED FULL PWR. THE PLT TURNED TOWARD A NEARBY ARPT AND WAS CLEARED TO LAND. EN ROUTE TO THE ARPT THE ENGINE LOST FULL POWER. WHEN THE PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD MAKE THE RWY HE EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR AND FULL FLAPS, HOWEVER, THE ACFT BEGAN TO DESCEND MORE RAPIDLY AND THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT AND LANDED ON A CITY STREET WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WHEN TESTED THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP LEAKED FUEL AT THE SEALS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:25 PDT
Nearest AirportHawthorne (1nm S)
Runway7
Runway Length4956 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNavion A
Tail NumberN4388K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-9 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 2 unknown outcomes)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:27
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data