# NTSB LAX03LA059: Farmer R B DA5-A, N7053U, Apple Valley, CA, January 4, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 4, 2003, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Apple Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.579166, -117.186111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5792&lon=-117.1861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56291/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56291 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA059 ## Probable cause the detonation of the number 1 and 3 cylinders and the subsequent over temperature of those cylinders and their corresponding pistons. ## 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, cruise - misc,engine pre-ignition and/or detonation (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature (cause) - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - berm - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The amateur built experimental airplane experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight and collided with a berm during a forced landing. About 10 minutes after departure, with the airplane cruising about 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), the engine started running roughly. The engine rpm began to drop and the propeller eventually came to a stop. The pilot opted to land next to the highway in open desert. During the landing roll out the nose wheel impacted a berm and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. While examining the engine after the accident occurred, the pilot found that the number 1 and 3 cylinders showed evidence of detonation. He noted that the pistons were swollen, which he thought was a result of excessive heat from the detonation. ## Factual narrative On January 4, 2003, about 0800 Pacific standard time, an amateur built experimental Farmer R B, Davis DA5-A, N7053U, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight and collided with a berm during a forced landing near Apple Valley, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight departed Apple Valley about 0745, with a planned destination of Yucca Valley Airport, Yucca Valley, California. In a written statement, the pilot reported that about 10 minutes after departing Apple Valley, with the airplane cruising about 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), the engine started running roughly. In an effort to smooth out the engine, he manipulated the carburetor heat control to the "on" position and enriched the mixture. Despite his efforts, the engine continued to run roughly and the rpm began to drop, with the propeller eventually coming to a stop. He selected a paved highway to touchdown upon, but decided the automotive traffic was too heavy and opted to land next to the highway in open desert. During the landing roll out the nose wheel impacted a berm and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot further stated that he examined the airplane after the accident occurred. While examining the Continental C-85 engine, he found that the number 1 and 3 cylinders showed evidence of detonation. He noted that the pistons were swollen, which he thought was a result of excessive heat from the detonation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7053U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7053U), registered now, S/N 115, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Farmer R B DA5-A - Registry model: [Farmer R B DA5-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/farmer-r-b-da5-a) (registry code 05616EP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 115 - Airframe hours: 454 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond C. Dedrick - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2002, 22 hours before - Departed: APV, Apple Valley, CA - Destination: L22, Yucca Valley, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,452 total, 480 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: PMD, 55 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 20030104000279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030104000279A), Jan 4, 2003: Amtr DA5A, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On January 4, 2003, about 0820 pacific standard time, an amateur built experimental farmer r b, DA5-A, N7053U, experienced a loss of engine power and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56291. 381 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.