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NTSB Report
May 15, 1982 · Martin 404 · N40445
Madera, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Madera, CA
Aircraft
Martin 404
Tail Number
N40445
Operator
Clayton V Curtis
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FA174
AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO TRAIL A BROWN SUBSTANCE. ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED. THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. WHEN HE THOUGHT THE RUNWAY WAS ATTAINABLE HE LOWERED THE FLAPS; HOWEVER, A LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE OCCURRED AND A LANDING WAS MADE IN A WHEAT FIELD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED FAILURE OF THE FRONT MASTER ROD BEARING IN THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT AND EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION WAS APPARENT IN BOTH ENGINES.
Full Narrative
AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO TRAIL A BROWN SUBSTANCE. ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED. THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. WHEN HE THOUGHT THE RUNWAY WAS ATTAINABLE HE LOWERED THE FLAPS; HOWEVER, A LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE OCCURRED AND A LANDING WAS MADE IN A WHEAT FIELD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED FAILURE OF THE FRONT MASTER ROD BEARING IN THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT AND EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION WAS APPARENT IN BOTH ENGINES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 PDT
Nearest AirportMADERA (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftMartin 404
Tail NumberN40445
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClayton V Curtis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-2800-CB3 · Reciprocating · 2400
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:00