# NTSB LAX82FA174: Martin 404, N40445, Madera, CA, May 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1982, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.910373, -120.190689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9104&lon=-120.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA174

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - lubricating system,oil line - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other person (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,master rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO TRAIL A BROWN SUBSTANCE. ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED. THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. WHEN HE THOUGHT THE RUNWAY WAS ATTAINABLE HE LOWERED THE FLAPS; HOWEVER, A LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE OCCURRED AND A LANDING WAS MADE IN A WHEAT FIELD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED FAILURE OF THE FRONT MASTER ROD BEARING IN THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT AND EVIDENCE OF OIL STARVATION WAS APPARENT IN BOTH ENGINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40445](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40445-1997-06-25), registration cancelled 1997-06-25, S/N 14230 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MARTIN 404
- Registry model: [Martin 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/martin-404) (registry code 5450702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14230
- Airframe hours: 43000
- Engines: P&W R-2800-CB3 2400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Clayton V. Curtis
- Registered owner: Clayton V. Curtis
- Departed: MAE, MADERA, CA
- Destination: CASPER, WY
- Airport: MAE, Madera, runway 30, 4,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,205 total, 8,810 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 19 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 19820515015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820515015909A), May 15, 1982: Martin 404MARTIN, Madera, CA, Destroyed. During climbout on ferry flight for maintenance, power failure occurred on both engines. Crashed returning to field

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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