# NTSB LAX81FA129: Ryan Navion, N5345K, Firebaugh, CA, September 22, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 22, 1981
- Place: Firebaugh, CA · FIREBAUGH, CA
- Location: 36.8511° N, 120.4526° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Firebaugh, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8511&lon=-120.4526&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA129
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA129

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2412  81/9/22    FIREBAUGH,CA        RYAN NAVION         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 267
        TIME - 1605                    N5345K              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FIREBAUGH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MENDOTA,CA                  WOODLAND,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FIRE IN ENGINE
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNDER TORQUED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - STRIPPED
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: MAGNETOS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: CRANKCASE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOOSE,PART/FITTING
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- ACFT OBSVD FLYING LOW,MADE 180DEG TURM,STEEP DESCENT TO GD.ENG MAIN BEARINGS-EXTREME WEAR,SCORING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5345K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5345K-1984-07-12), registration cancelled 1984-07-12, S/N NAV 4 2245 B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION B](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-b) (registry code 6150170) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Firebaugh

## 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 19810922060839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810922060839A), Sep 22, 1981: Navion NAVIONB, Firebaugh, CA, Destroyed. Zt engine fire in flight. Indicates pilot overcome by smoke. Dived into ground. Engine worn. Sub-standard repairs.

## Other investigations on N5345K (1)

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 MIA68D0192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0192), Feb 5, 1967: Navion B (N5345K), Lane, SC, substantial damage

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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