# NTSB LAX87DUG01: Aero Commander 520, N70FM, Lucerne Valley, CA, November 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1986, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lucerne Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.520317, -116.880912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5203&lon=-116.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing
  - fuel system,drain - open (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE PLT MADE A LANDING ON DRY LAKE BED AND DISEMBARKED FROM THE PLANE EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE PATH OF THE LANDING ROLL SHOWED NO SIGNS OF MELTED METAL OR DEBRI. THERE WAS A LARGE FUEL STAIN VISIBLE AROUND THE REMAINS OF THE RIGHT WING, RIGHT ENGINE AND RIGHT COWLING. THE ENGINE COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES SHOWED MODERATE HEAT DISTRESS WITH NO EVIDENCE OF A BLOW TORCH EFFECT. THE RIGHT WING FUEL SUMP DRAIN VALVE WAS LOCATED INSIDE A CUP OF MELTED ALIMINUM AND WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70FM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70FM-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N 520-147, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 520
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 520](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-520) (registry code 0141202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 147
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack R. Matison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 200 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19861102053369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861102053369A), Nov 2, 1986: Gulstm 520, Lucerne Valley, CA, Destroyed. The pilot reported an inflight fire and emergency landing. Evidence suggests fire was deliberately set on ground.

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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