# NTSB LAX01LA288: Ryan ST3KR, N48742, Camarillo, CA, August 25, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 2001, 18:20 local (Aug 25, 2001, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.230316, -119.07006 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2303&lon=-119.0701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist. Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53115/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA288 ## Probable cause The improper fabrication/reassembly and inspection of the engine throttle control linkage during aircraft restoration by the operator, and the failure of the operator's inspection personnel to detect the error during subsequent annual inspections. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - throttle/power control - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot reported he was giving rides in the antique aircraft to thank museum volunteers of the Confederate Air Force squadron. Before takeoff, the aircraft was fueled to capacity, which he reported was sufficient for 2 hours endurance. About 20 minutes after takeoff, while in normal cruise flight and without warning, the engine lost power. During the ensuing forced landing in an open field, the landing gear struck a culvert and a wing was damaged. Post-accident inspection revealed that a clevis on the throttle linkage separated from the rod at the cockpit control quadrant. The operator, a (civilian) military aircraft museum, believed that the throttle linkage had been field fabricated, or refurbished and installed during restoration of the World War II-era airplane, 358 flight hours prior. A rivet, intended to lock the clevis to the shaft, was never installed during the fabrication/reassembly of the linkage, and the absence of the rivet was not detected during subsequent annual inspections. ## Factual narrative On August 24, 2001, at 1820 hours Pacific daylight time, a Ryan ST3KR, N48742, was substantially damaged during an off-airport emergency landing near Camarillo, California, following loss of engine power in cruise flight. The airline transport certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The personal flight was operated by the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum under 14 CFR Part 91. The local area flight departed from Camarillo at 1800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was giving rides in the antique aircraft to thank museum volunteers of the Confederate Air Force squadron at Camarillo. Before takeoff, the aircraft was fueled to capacity, which he reported was sufficient for 2 hours endurance. About 20 minutes after takeoff, while in normal cruise flight and without warning, the engine lost power. During the ensuing forced landing in an open field, the landing gear struck a culvert and a wing was damaged. Post-flight inspection revealed that a clevis on the throttle linkage rod separated from the rod at the cockpit control quadrant. A rivet, intended to lock the clevis to the rod shaft, was never installed during fabrication/assembly of the linkage and absence of the rivet had not been detected during subsequent annual inspections. Museum personnel told the Safety Board investigator that it was their belief that the throttle linkage had, most likely, been field fabricated or disassembled, cleaned and reassembled, and then reinstalled in the airplane during the last restoration of the World War II-era aircraft, 358 flight hours prior. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48742](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48742), registered now, S/N 1298, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ryan ST3KR - Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1298 - Airframe hours: 2512 - Engines: Kinner R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2001, 36 hours before - Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 18,520 total, 175 in this make and model, 11,099 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: CMA, 6 nm away ## 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 20010824025769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010824025769A), Aug 24, 2001: Ryan ST3KR, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 24, 2001, at 1820 hours pacific daylight time, a Ryan ST3KR, N48742, was substantially damaged during an off-airport emergency landing near… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.