# NTSB LAX85LA235: Lockheed PV-2, N7415C, Mesa, AZ, May 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1985, 15:57 local (22:57 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.379337, -111.870918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3793&lon=-111.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA235

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - checklist - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A DURAL ENGINE CHANG, THE PLT TEST FLEW THE ACFT. ON INITIAL CLIMB, AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, BOTH ENGINES BEGAN BACKFIRING VIOLENTLY & LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, POWER SUFFICIENT FOR FLT COULD NOT BE OBTAINED, & A FORCED LDG WAS MADE ABOUT 0.75 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE LDG OCCURRED IN OPEN DESERT TERRAIN & THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE DID NOT CHECK THE POSITION OF THE CONTROL HANDLES FOR THE SUPERCHARGERS DURING EITHER HIS PRE-FLIGHT OR PRE-TAKEOFF INSPECTIONS. AND THE BLOWERS HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY LEFT SET TO THE HIGH BLOWER POSITION. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE CHECKLIST WHICH HE WAS USING FOR THE ACFT DID NOT ADDRESS THE POSITION OF THE BLOWERS BECAUSE FOR THE PAST 15 YRS IT HAD BEEN COMPANY POLICY TO 'WIRE THE BLOWERS TO THE LOW BLOWER POSITION.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7415C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7415C-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 151608, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED PV-2
- Registry model: [Lockheed PV-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-pv-2) (registry code 5260106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 151608
- Engines: P&W R-2800-31 1450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Globe Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,750 total, 220 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850501015179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850501015179A), May 1, 1985: Lkheed PV2AIRTDCORP, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Engines began to backfire and lost power after liftoff. Gear up landing in desert. Superchargers in high position.

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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