# NTSB LAX84FA396: Travel Air 4000, N8719, San Miguel, CA, July 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1984, 18:45 local (Jul 16, 1984, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: San Miguel, CA
- Coordinates: 35.890064, -120.599563 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8901&lon=-120.5996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA396
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA396

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THIS & ANOTHER ACFT WERE ENGAGED IN A MOCK 'DOGFIGHT'; BOTH ACFT WERE CIRCLING THE ACCIDENT AREA BETWEEN 500-800 FT AGL & NEITHER ACFT WAS NEGOTIATING ANY AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING A DESCENDING 30 DEG RIGHT BANKING TURN, THE ACFT ENTERED INTO A RIGHT SPIN. CONTROL INPUTS, INCLUDING 'AFT STICK PRESSURE,' COULD NOT ARREST THE SPIN. THE PLT HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SPIN/SPIN RECOVERY INSTRUCTION FROM A CFI IN THE ACFT. HOWEVER, THE PLT'S FATHER STATED HE HAD GIVEN THE PLT SPIN/SPIN RECOVERY INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8719](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8719), registered now, S/N 1003, built 1929 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TRAVEL AIR 4000
- Registry model: [Travel Air 4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/travel-air-4000) (registry code 2621818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1003
- Airframe hours: 3491
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Troy E. Stimson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1984, 23 hours before
- Departed: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 146 total, 14 in this make and model, 92 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRB, 8 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 19840715032299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840715032299A), Jul 15, 1984: Curtis TRVAIR4000, San Miguel, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Two aircraft were engagedf in dog fight. Trailing airplane entered spin from low altitude and could not recover.

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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