# NTSB LAX83FA067: Javelin Wichawk, N6940, Camarillo, CA, January 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1983, 15:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Camarillo, CA
- Coordinates: 34.229797, -119.070648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2298&lon=-119.0706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA067

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND 15 DEGREES NOSE DOWN 70 DEGREE LEFT BANK WHILE PERFORMING LOW LEVEL AEROBATICS. WITNESSES HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE AEROBATIC MANEUVERS IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WAS LAST SEEN DESCENDING AT A NEAR VERTICAL ANGLE FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 600 TO 700 FEET AGL AND CRASH INTO SOFT, LEVEL CULTIVATED GROUND. THERE WAS A POST CRASH FIRE AND BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING PARACHUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6940](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6940-1985-10-22), registration cancelled 1985-10-22, S/N 30 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Javelin Aircraft WICHAWK
- Registry model: [Snider WICHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/snider-wichawk) (registry code 05629AW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kaufman Donald
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 30, 1982, 0 hours before
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 299 total, 294 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 7 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 19830104000769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830104000769A), Jan 4, 1983: Amtrjv WICHAWK, Camarillo, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Dived into ground during low level acrobatic maneuvers. Burned on impact.

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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