# NTSB LAX87DUM03: Chance Vought F4U-7, N33693, Chula Vista, CA, May 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1987, 15:07 local (22:07 UTC)
- Place: Chula Vista, CA
- Location: 32.6400° N, 117.0842° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chula Vista, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6400&lon=-117.0842&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUM03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE F4U WAS GIVING THE PASSENGER A RIDE IN APPRECIATION OF HER VOLUNTEER WORK SHE CONTRIBUTED TO AN AIRSHOW CONDUCTED AT BROWN FIELD IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE F4U ENTER AN INVERTED DIVE FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1500 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. PLTS FAMILIAR WITH THE F4U STATED THAT ONCE INVERTED IT TENDS TO STAY THAT WAY AND A 'SPLIT S' MANEUVER IS USUALLY THE ONLY WAY OUT, WHICH USES 3000 FT OR MORE OF ALTITUDE. THE PLTS EXPERIENCE IN AEROBATICS IN THE F4U IS UNKNOWN. NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT WERE NOTED DURING POST ACC INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N33693 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHANCE VOUGHT F4U-7
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 133693
- Airframe hours: 1295
- Engines: P&W R2800-18W 2000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: G & R Aviation Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1987
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: SDM, Brown Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDM, 5 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 19870510082639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870510082639A), May 10, 1987: Vought F4U7, San Diego, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircrat impacted the ground during unauthorized aerobatics. M or d submitted for corrosion of aileron bolts.

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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