# NTSB LAX87DUM05: Sawyer DF-9, N6524J, Ramona, CA, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.07059, -116.829689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0706&lon=-116.8297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUM05

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - low pass - intentional
  - flight control,elevator - separation (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE THIRD TEST FLT, THE PLT WAS TO FLY THE ACFT TO 6000 FT FOR SLOW FLT AND FLUTTER TESTING AT INCREASING SPEEDS TO 200 MPH. THE PLT WAS THEN TO COMPLETE A SHALLOW DESCENT TO TOUCH-DOWN WITH AN ON FINAL, OVER-THE-FENCE SPEED NOT TO EXCEED 75 MPH. INSTEAD, UPON REACHING APRX 300 FT AGL HE DOVE THE PLANE TO APRX 50 FT AND PROCEEDED TO DO A HIGH SPEED PASS DOWN THE RWY. AT THREE QUARTERS THE WAY DOWN THE RWY A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND  A PIECE OF THE ELEVATOR SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE PLANE DOVE SLIGHTLY THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6524J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6524J-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SAWYER DF-9
- Registry model: [Sawyer Jeffrey Scot DF9](https://openairdocs.org/model/sawyer-jeffrey-scot-df9) (registry code 0565246) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sawyer, Jeffrey S.
- Registered owner: Jeffrey S Sawyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 1, 1987, 3 hours before
- Departed: L39, ROMONA, CA
- Airport: L39, Ramona, runway 27, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- 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 19870823069349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823069349A), Aug 23, 1987: Amtrjs DF9, Ramona, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Unauthorized high speed low level pass. Elevator departed aircraft. Became uncontrollable and impacted the 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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