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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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October 4, 1986 · Waco YKS-7 · N50RA

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Waco YKS-7
Tail Number
N50RA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA005

THE ACFT DEPARTED MONTGOMERY AIRPORT AT ABT 0954 HOURS. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO CUT-IN AND OUT. THE PLT CONTACTED GILLESPIE AIRPORT TOWER AND REQUESTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A GOLF COURSE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SANDTRAP. THE POST ACCIDENT WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DSCLSD THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED LESS THAT 9 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION; HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED AMPLE FUEL FOR THE SHORT FLT TO BROWN FIELD, SAN DIEGO, CA. THE MASTER SWITCH WAS TURNED ON AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ABT 1/4 FULL; THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ABT 1/2 FULL.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT DEPARTED MONTGOMERY AIRPORT AT ABT 0954 HOURS. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO CUT-IN AND OUT. THE PLT CONTACTED GILLESPIE AIRPORT TOWER AND REQUESTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A GOLF COURSE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SANDTRAP. THE POST ACCIDENT WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DSCLSD THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED LESS THAT 9 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION; HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED AMPLE FUEL FOR THE SHORT FLT TO BROWN FIELD, SAN DIEGO, CA. THE MASTER SWITCH WAS TURNED ON AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ABT 1/4 FULL; THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ABT 1/2 FULL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 PDT
Nearest AirportMontgomery (5nm E)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWaco YKS-7
Tail NumberN50RA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · L4MB · Reciprocating · 245
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260°
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data