# NTSB LAX85FA310: Polliwagen Unknown, N81PW, Bakersfield, CA, July 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 19:17 local (Jul 8, 1985, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.199481, -118.859329 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1995&lon=-118.8593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA310

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON JULY 7, 1985, AT 1917 PDT, A POLLIWAGEN, N81PW, COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO AROUND AT BAKERSFIELDAIRPARK, BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME; NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THE PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, AT ABOUT 1800 PDT. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT MADE A NORMAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 30 AND WHEN IT WAS 10 TO 15 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT ADDED POWER TO MAKE A GO AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY CLIMBED TO ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL. THE WITNESS LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT AT THAT TIME BUT STATED THAT HE HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRE 2 OR 3 TIMES AND THEN HEARD THE IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ADJACENT TO AN FAA HANGAR. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT INSIDE THE HANGAR. HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT BURNED AND A DEMPSEY DUMSPSTER AND AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED AUTOMOBILE WERE DAMAGED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81PW-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 0003, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Polliwagen Inc. UNKNOWN
- Registry model: [Polliwagen POLLIWAGEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/polliwagen-polliwagen) (registry code 05613N4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0003
- Airframe hours: 317
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Polliwagen, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: L86, MURRIETA, CA
- Airport: L45, Bakers Field Airpark, runway 31, 3,150 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,432 total, 39 in this make and model, 827 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850707075079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707075079A), Jul 7, 1985: Amtr POLLIWAGON, Bakersfield, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine backfired, then aircraft impacted ground. No mechanical malfunction found. Had .042 percent blood alcohol.

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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