# NTSB LAX85LA098: Crowder Great Lakes, N13355, Sunland, CA, January 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1985, 14:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Sunland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.2597, -118.320724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2597&lon=-118.3207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA098

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation
  - engine assembly,mount - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,mount - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 2100 FT AGL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND A TTL LOSS OF PWR OCCURRED. PLT MADE FORCED LANDING INTO THE TOP OF A TREE. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE 4 HOLD DOWN BOLTS/STUDS WHICH HOLD THE #2 CYLINDER TO THE CASE HAD FAILED ALLOWING THE CYLINDER TO SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE. PLT STATED THE BOLTS HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED AND RE-TORQUED ON THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13355 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CROWDER GREAT LAKES (GREAT LAKE)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 233
- Engines: ELIZALDE,S.A. TIGRE G-IV 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas W. Crowder
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1984, 39 hours before
- Departed: CCB, UPLAND, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 921 total, 233 in this make and model, 876 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19850106000179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850106000179A), Jan 6, 1985: Amtrgl GREATLAKES, Sunland, CA, Substantial damage. Loss of power in cruise. Landed in big tree. Holddown studs on nr 2 cylinder broken.

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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