# NTSB LAX78FUQ05: N American SNJ-5, N7969C, Van Nuys, CA, December 7, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 7, 1977
- Place: Van Nuys, CA · VAN NUYS, CA
- Location: 34.1867° N, 118.4490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Nuys, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1867&lon=-118.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 158672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FUQ05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUQ05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3676   77/12/7   VAN NUYS,CA         N AMERICAN SNJ-5    CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 59, 5930
        TIME - 0840                    N7969C              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 950 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VAN NUYS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VAN NUYS,CA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GEAR RETRACTED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: GEAR LOCKING MECHANISM
        REMARKS- L GR LOCK PIN MALFUNCTIONED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7969C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7969C), registered now, S/N 43974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: N AMERICAN SNJ-5
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Van Nuys

## 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 19771207038129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771207038129A), Dec 7, 1977: Namer SNJ5, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. L gr lock pin malfunctioned.

## Other investigations on N7969C (2)

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.

- [NTSB WPR19LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA014), Oct 23, 2018: North American SNJ (N7969C), Agoura Hills, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The failure of the No. 5 piston rod end due to fatigue, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA17CA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA242), Apr 20, 2017: North American SNJ (N7969C), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll with a quartering tailwind.

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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