# NTSB LAX86FA304: Playmate SA-11A, N315W, Yucca Valley, CA, July 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1986, 12:07 local (19:07 UTC)
- Place: Yucca Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.149478, -116.410293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1495&lon=-116.4103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 11, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA304
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA304

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PIC PLANNED A LOCAL FLIGHT IN HIS HOMEBUILT 'PLAYMATE' EXPERIMENTAL ACFT. A WITNESS REPORTED OBSERVING THE ACFT 1/8 MI N OF THE UNCONTROLLED ARPT IN A SPIN. THE PLT RECOVERED FM THE SPIN AT 200 FT AGL, & THEN ENTERED A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT UNTIL COLLIDING WITH TERRAIN. THERAPEUTIC LEVELS OF CODEINE AND MORPHINE WERE DETECTED DURING THE AUTOPSY. USAGE OF THESE COMPOUNDS IS DISQUALIFING FOR FLYING AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N315W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315W-1992-06-12), registration cancelled 1992-06-12, S/N 105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PLAYMATE SA-11A
- Registry model: [Mcdaniel PLAYMATE SA-11A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdaniel-playmate-sa-11a) (registry code 86509NA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 105
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nick A. D'Andrea
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 25, 1986
- Departed: L22, YUCCA VALLEY, CA
- Airport: L22, Yucca Valley, runway 24, 3,686 × 90 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19860727034949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860727034949A), Jul 27, 1986: Amtrsa STITSSA11A, Yucca Valley, CA, Destroyed. Observed by witnesses to be spinning prior to ground impact. Possible medication problem or rudder lock from design

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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