# NTSB LAX73FUM25: Sportavia SFS-31, N55JC, Serra Mesa, CA, March 15, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 15, 1973
- Place: Serra Mesa, CA · SERRA MESA, CA
- Location: 32.8028° N, 117.1384° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Serra Mesa, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8028&lon=-117.1384&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 163146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73FUM25
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUM25

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0579  73/3/15    SERRA MESA,CALIF    SPORTAVIA SFS-31    CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 57, 389
        TIME - 1525                    N55JC               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 41 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MONTGOMERY FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN DIEGO,CALIF             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           STALL: MUSH                                              LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SIMULATED CONDITIONS
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: NORMAL RETRACTION/EXTENSION ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WRONG PART
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - JAMMED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
        REMARKS- WHEEL EQUIPT.PLT UN TO MANUALLY LOWER GR.SHOCK ASSEMBLY BOLT TOO LONG.CUT PWR TO PREVENT PROP DMG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55JC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55JC), registered now, S/N 6605, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPORTAVIA SFS-31
- Registry model: [Sportavia-Putzer SFS31](https://openairdocs.org/model/sportavia-putzer-sfs31) (registry code 8451018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rectimo 4AR 1200](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rectimo-4ar-1200) (registry code 52314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Montgomery Field

## 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 19730315005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730315005849A), Mar 15, 1973: Amtr 0560341, Serra Mesa, CA, Substantial damage. Wheel equipt. Plt un to manually lower gr. Shock assembly bolt too long. Cut pwr to prevent prop dmg.

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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