# NTSB DCA87MA024: Lockheed L-382G, N517SJ, Travis Afb, CA, April 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1987, 17:32 local (Apr 9, 1987, 00:32 UTC)
- Place: Travis Afb, CA
- Coordinates: 38.279914, -121.920974 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2799&lon=-121.9210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA87MA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA87MA024

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, go-around (vfr)
  - compressor assembly - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - compressor assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid,oil - other (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - go-around - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - improper (contributing factor)
  - hydraulic system - loss,partial
  - flt control syst,rudder control - movement restricted
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

CRASHED IN STEEP LEFT TURN DRG GO-AROUND AFTER BALKED LANDING. INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROLS AND INITIATED GO-AROUND AFTER STUDENT LNDD IN IMPROPER ATTITUDE. ENGINES NUMBER 1 & 2 FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THROTTLES ADVANCED. BOTH ENGINES DECELERATED. AIRSPEED DECREASED DURING GO-AROUND. FLAPS WERE RETRACTED CAUSING REDUCTION IN HYD PRESSURE. INSTRUCTOR UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VMC SPEED, LOST CONTROL. ACFT DESTROYED BY POSTCRASH FIRE. AIRFIELD PERIMETER FENCE DMGD. TEARDOWN AND TESTING REVEALED HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF OIL/TAR RESIDUES ON BLEED VALVES AND THROUGHOUT ENGINES NUMBER 1 & 2 COMPRESSORS, LIMITING ABILITY OF ENGINES TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE MOVEMENT. HISTORY OF RECENT ENGINE AND PROPELLER OIL LEAKS. NO RECORD OF ENGINE WASHES AFTER LEAKS, ALTHOUGH REQUIRED BY MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, SEE SUMMARY REPORT NTSB/AAR-88/03/SUM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N517SJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N517SJ-1988-06-01), registration cancelled 1988-06-01, S/N 4558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-382G
- Registry model: [Lockheed 382G-44K-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-382g-44k-30) (registry code 526414Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4558
- Airframe hours: 17027
- Engines: ALLISON 501-D22A turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Southern Air Transport
- Registered owner: Safair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 8, 1987, 4 hours before
- Departed: SUC
- Destination: SUU
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SUU, Travis Afb, runway 21L, 10,995 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,600 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 99 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870408083179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870408083179A), Apr 8, 1987: Lkheed 382G, Fairfield, CA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Crashed during go around. Power on two engines decelerated. Inadequate engine maintenance and improper crew action

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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