# NTSB LAX84LA398: Howard DGA-15P, N5553N, Tracy, CA, July 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1984, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.730224, -121.419342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7302&lon=-121.4193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA398
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA398

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE LANDED WITH A SLIGHT TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5553N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5553N), registered now, S/N 978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Howard Aircraft Corp. DGA-15P
- Registry model: [Howard DGA-15P](https://openairdocs.org/model/howard-dga-15p) (registry code 4690506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 978
- Airframe hours: 1118
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Kendall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1983
- Departed: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Airport: 036, Tracy, runway 29, 3,680 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,037 total, 189 in this make and model, 946 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 16 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 19840716060039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840716060039A), Jul 16, 1984: Howard DGA15P, Tracy, CA, Destroyed. Ran off the side of the runway after landing. Struck trees.

## Other investigations on N5553N (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX82DA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA116), Mar 22, 1982: Howard DGA-15P (N5553N), Livermore, CA, substantial damage

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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