# NTSB LAX85FA228: North American SNJ-6, N2860G, El Toro Mcas, CA, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1985, 09:38 local (17:38 UTC)
- Place: El Toro Mcas, CA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA228

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIATED A NORMAL TAKEOFF & CLIMB UNTIL THE ACFT WAS OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AT ABOUT 150 FT AGL WITH THE LANDING GEAR & FLAPS RETRACTED. THE ACFT THEN ROLLED RAPIDLY INTO A STEEP LEFT BANK, TURNED ABOUT 180 DEG & CLIMBED TO APRX 250 FT AGL. AS THE ACFT ROLLED TO A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE, THE NOSE WAS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE HORIZON. THE ACFT REMAINED IN THAT POSITION MOMENTARILY, THEN QUICKLY ROLLED INTO A STEEP LEFT BANK. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 30 DEG OF HEADING CHANGE, THE ACFT ROLLED OVER-THE-TOP INTO A RIGHT SPIN. REPORTEDLY, THE SPIN WAS STOPPED AFTER ABOUT 3 TURNS, BUT BEFORE RECOVERY, THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. AFTER INITIAL IMPACT, THE ACFT CONTINUED INTO A CHAPEL BUILDING & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT POSSESSED A WAIVER TO FLY WITH AN AMPUTATED LEG. THE ACFT WAS MODIFIED SO THAT HE HAD FULL CONTROL OF THE RUDDER WITH 1 LEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2860G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2860G-1993-04-08), registration cancelled 1993-04-08, S/N BU112130 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-6
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-6) (registry code 6400422) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 112130
- Airframe hours: 5257
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Merrel Gossman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984, 57 hours before
- Departed: NZJ
- Airport: NZJ, El Toro Mcas, runway 34L, 6,310 × 250 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,042 total, 498 in this make and model, 849 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 17 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NZJ

## 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 19850427016159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850427016159A), Apr 27, 1985: Namer SNJ6, El Toro Maine C, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made steep bank, high pitch climbout. Stalled and spun to impact. Had rudder straps for an artificial right leg.

## Other investigations on N2860G (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 LAX77DUQ32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DUQ32), May 26, 1977: N. American SNJ-6 (N2860G), Pacoima, 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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