# NTSB LAX87DJA03: Emroth Emair MA-1B, N88896, Naalehu, HI, January 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1987, 12:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Naalehu, HI
- Coordinates: 19.06961, -155.569335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.0696&lon=-155.5693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DJA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DJA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A DOWNWIND RUN WHEN THE PILOT DUMPED THE LOAD COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, BECOME AIRBORNE AND EVENTUALLY COLLIDED WITH TREES. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THAT IT DID NOT VARY DURING THE CRASH SEQUENCE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT HIS FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88896](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88896-1994-07-05), registration cancelled 1994-07-05, S/N 038 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Emroth Emair MA-1B
- Registry model: [Emroth-Emair MA-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/emroth-emair-ma-1b) (registry code 3280103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: SN038
- Airframe hours: 3741
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-202A 900 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Murrayair, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 1986, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19870120000829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870120000829A), Jan 20, 1987: Emair MA1B, Naalehu, HI, Destroyed. Collided with the ground and bounced into trees during a ag turn around from a spray run.

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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