# NTSB LAX83LA135: Vans RV-3A, N630CB, Bakersfield, CA, March 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1983, 13:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.199905, -118.859771 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1999&lon=-118.8598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TOOK OFF, CLIMBED TO 1500 FT & SET THE ENGINE CONTROLS AT CRUISE POWER (2500 RPM AT 160 MPH). HE STATED THAT HE THEN TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT & MADE A LOW PASS WITHOUT CHANGING THE POWER SETTING. AS HE STARTED TO CLIMB FROM THE LOW PASS, HE TRIED TO ADD POWER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. WHILE MAKING A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE HOME BUILT ACFT HIT A DITCH & NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, NO ENGINE LOG BOOK WAS AVAILABLE. INITIALLY, HE SUSPECTED THAT BROKEN, ENGINE MOUNTS HAD AFFECTED THE MIXTURE CONTROL, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY HE BELIEVED THAT CARBURETOR ICE HAD ACCUMULATED. NO OTHER MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE REPORTED. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 64 & 52 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT GLIDE POWER & VISIBLE ICING WAS PROBABLE AT CRUISE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N630CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N630CB-1994-07-12), registration cancelled 1994-07-12, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Vans Aircraft RV-3A
- Registry model: [Baker Calvin RV-3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/baker-calvin-rv-3a) (registry code 05608M8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RV-3A
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Calvin Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1982
- Airport: L45, Bakersfield, runway 31, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,260 total, 40 in this make and model, 9,260 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 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 19830311007229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830311007229A), Mar 11, 1983: Amtrru VARIEZE, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout from a low pass over runway. Landed in a field hit a ditch and nosed over. Carburetor icing

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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