# NTSB LAX79FVG77: Douglas VJ22, N96315, Courtland, CA, September 3, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 3, 1979
- Place: Courtland, CA · COURTLAND, CA
- Location: 38.3329° N, 121.5570° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Courtland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3329&lon=-121.5570&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FVG77
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FVG77

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2444   79/9/3    COURTLAND,CA        DOUGLAS VJ22        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 714
        TIME - 1055                    N96315              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 22 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NATOMAS,CA                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        REMARKS- ESTIMATED 42 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96315](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96315-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N JAD-2, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS VJ22
- Registry model: [Douglas VJ-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-vj-22) (registry code 9570321) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790903028219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790903028219A), Sep 3, 1979: Amtrva SPORTMANVJ22, Courtland, CA, Destroyed. Amphibian apparently hit powerlines at approach speed with intention of water landing. Stalled and crashed.

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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