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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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NTSB Report

November 30, 1987 · Piper PA-46 · N4369V

Long Beach, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 30, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Long Beach, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-46
Tail Number
N4369V
Operator
Million Air
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA060

DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO SAN JOSE AND SUBSEQUENT DESCENT AND APPROACH TO THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT, THE TWO PILOTS EXPERIENCED, IN SUCCESSION, A FAILURE OF THE TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM, LOSS OF AN ALTERNATOR, LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE, AN UNSAFE LANDING GEAR INDICATION, AND AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A NIGHT TIME CIRCLING APPROACH TO AN UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ONTO THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF THE SAN DIEGO FREEWAY AT LONG BEACH AFTER MAKING A FLYBY OF THE TOWER TO CONFIRM THE LANDING GEAR POSITION. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TURBOCHARGER, A CRACKED MANIFOLD EXHAUST, A BURNED MAIN POWER LEAD, A SEPARATED CYLINDER, AND A LOW FLUID LEVEL IN THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR. TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT MADE AN UNINTENTIONAL GEAR UP LANDING IN ANOTHER ACFT. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE FAA REVOKED THE MECHANIC'S INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT AFTER EXPERIENCING THE PILOT'S FAULTY DECISION WAS HIS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH A GEAR UP LANDING A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE.

Full Narrative

DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO SAN JOSE AND SUBSEQUENT DESCENT AND APPROACH TO THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT, THE TWO PILOTS EXPERIENCED, IN SUCCESSION, A FAILURE OF THE TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM, LOSS OF AN ALTERNATOR, LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE, AN UNSAFE LANDING GEAR INDICATION, AND AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A NIGHT TIME CIRCLING APPROACH TO AN UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ONTO THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF THE SAN DIEGO FREEWAY AT LONG BEACH AFTER MAKING A FLYBY OF THE TOWER TO CONFIRM THE LANDING GEAR POSITION. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TURBOCHARGER, A CRACKED MANIFOLD EXHAUST, A BURNED MAIN POWER LEAD, A SEPARATED CYLINDER, AND A LOW FLUID LEVEL IN THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR. TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT MADE AN UNINTENTIONAL GEAR UP LANDING IN ANOTHER ACFT. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE FAA REVOKED THE MECHANIC'S INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:43 PST
Nearest AirportLong Beach (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionBoth

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-46
Tail NumberN4369V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMillion Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSI0-520-BE1 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data