# NTSB LAX84FVM01: E.L. Griggs Q2, N1180A, Hollister, CA, July 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1984, 08:21 local (15:21 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Coordinates: 36.889919, -121.240203 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8899&lon=-121.2402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FVM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FVM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - , pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT PASSED OVER THE ARPT TWICE AFTER DEPARTURE WITH THE ENGINE POPPING AND BACKFIRING. A WITNESS WHO HEARD THIS RADIOED THE PLT TO WARN HIM. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS TRYING TO CORRECT IT WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL. THE PLT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT HIS RADIO HAD BACKGROUND NOISE AND A SQUEAL. THE PLT REPLIED THAT IT MUST BE THE OPERATOR. THEACFT THEN FLEW OUT OF SIGHT. ANOTHER WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRING AND LOOKED IN TIME TO SEE PARTS FALLING OFF OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED INVERTED. THE MAIN WINGS WERE FOUND 165 AND 300 FT FROM THE FUSELAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD INSTALLED A MODIFIED WING FUEL TANK IN THE FOAM FILLED WING AND THE USE OF AUTO GAS HAD DISSOLVED THE FOAM FILLING BY A LEAK, SPILLAGE, OR OVERFLOW. THE FOAM WAS TESTED WITH AVGAS AND NO DAMAGE  RESULTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1180A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: E.L. GRIGGS Q2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2112
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A57 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Elmer L. Griggs
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840727035479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840727035479A), Jul 27, 1984: Amtrqk QUICKIE2, Hollister, CA, Destroyed. Leaking auto gas from unauthorized tank failed wing by dissolving foam. Avgas will not affect foam.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.