# NTSB LAX86DVA04: Glen Davis Glasair, N84GD, Chinese Camp, CA, March 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1986, 20:00 local (Mar 23, 1986, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Chinese Camp, CA
- Location: 37.8702° N, 120.4442° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chinese Camp, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8702&lon=-120.4442&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86DVA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86DVA04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A GLASAIR HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BARN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON A NIGHT TIME BUSINESS TRIP. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FROM THE EXTREME LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY WHICH HAD A HIGH GROWTH OF VEGETATION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE ABOUT 40 TO 50 FT ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN IT ROLLED TO THE LEFT, WENT BEHIND A TREE AND COLLIDED WITH THE BARN. THE ENSUING GROUND FIRE DESTROYED THE EVIDENCE WHICH WAS COMPOSED PRIMARILY OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84GD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84GD-2011-04-26), registration cancelled 2011-04-26, S/N 530 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLEN DAVIS GLASAIR
- Registry model: [Davis Glen GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-glen-glasair) (registry code 05655QR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 530
- Airframe hours: 175
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Soren E Jensen
- Registered owner: Glen Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Airport: Jensen Private Airstrip, runway 24, 3,000 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 30 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 19860322007319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860322007319A), Mar 22, 1986: Amtr GLASAIR, Chinese Camp, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft hit a barn after takeoff. Pilot may have lost control when counterweight was jammed by unsecured wire.

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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