20030524010789A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Namer T-28C · Sherman Oaks, CA · May 24, 2003

Date: May 24, 2003 · 12:24 local
Place: Sherman Oaks, CA
Phase of flight: Climb
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N537Z
NTSB investigation: NTSBLAX03FA162
Reported as: Namer T28C
Reported engine: WRIGHT R1820*
People aboard: 2
Fatal injuries: 2
Pilot’s flight hours: 2,350 total

N537ZRegistration cancelled May 3, 2013 · North American T-28CS/N 140537 · Built 1956 Airframe modelNorth American T-28C Engine modelWright R-1820 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(-23) N537Z, at T-28C, departed van nuys airport at 1222 on 05/24/03 with an IFR clearance to VFR on top. The base of the clouds was about 2300 feet MSL (1500 feet AGL) with the tops at about 4500 feet MSL. Prior to reaching VFR on top, N357Z was observed exiting the base of the clouds in an unusual attitude. Impact occurred about 1225 PDT.

As the FAA filed it

(-23) N537Z, AT T-28C, DEPARTED VAN NUYS AIRPORT AT 1222 ON 05/24/03 WITH AN IFR CLEARANCE TO VFR ON TOP. THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS WAS ABOUT 2300 FEET MSL (1500 FEET AGL) WITH THE TOPS AT ABOUT 4500 FEET MSL. PRIOR TO REACHING VFR ON TOP, N357Z WAS OBSERVED EXITING THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS IN AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE. IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 1225 PDT.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB LAX03FA162Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSherman Oaks, CAThe pilot's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were the distraction caused by the malfunctioning mode C altitude reporting system, and the location of the transponder control head, which necessitated repeated…May 24, 2003 · Destroyed

Other reports on N537Z · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

Incident 19901215064459IFcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise · Palmdale, CAEngine dropped a valve en route. Landed safely.Dec 15, 1990