# NTSB LAX86FA221: Aerospatiale TB20, Van Nuys, CA, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.189483, -118.490798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1895&lon=-118.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA221

## Analysis

WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 16L THE LIGHT ACFT PLT WAS CAUTIONED ABOUT POSSIBLE WAKE TURBULENCE FROM AN ARRIVING C-130 HERCULES ACFT LANDING ON RWY 16R. THE LIGHT ACFT PLT ACKNOWLEDGED OBSERVING THE C-130, WHICH WAS ABOVE HIM. THE C-130 LANDED ON RWY 16R WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN THE LIGHT ACFT WAS ABOUT 1/4 MILE NORTH OF THE ARPT IT ENCOUNTERED THE C-130'S VORTEX WHICH CAUSED IT TO ROLL OVER INVERTED AND CRASH. THE LIGHT ACFT PLT FAILED TO ADHERE TO THE WARNING GIVEN BY ATC AND HE FAILED TO ADHERE TO THE ESTABLISHED VORTEX AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES WRITTEN IN THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire/explosion, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N67TTB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE TB20
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 535
- Airframe hours: 73
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4D5D 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Van Nuys Aero Club, Inc, doing business as Beech Aero Club
- Registered owner: Trinidad Distributing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1986, 69 hours before
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16L, 4,000 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 1 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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