# NTSB LAX87DVA06: North American F-86F, N86Z, Shafter, CA, April 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1987, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Shafter, CA
- Coordinates: 35.489379, -119.300918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4894&lon=-119.3009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVA06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVA06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - turbine assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - hydraulic system - no pressure (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing
  - flare - not possible

## Analysis

FOLLOWING AN AIRSHOW, THE PILOT TRANSMITTED WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. DURING THE FLARE THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE RUNWAY, AND BURST INTO FLAMES. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT ROTATING (OR WINDMILLING) AND THAT THE EMERGENCY HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS NOT BEING USED. FURTHERMORE, THE EJECTION SEAT WAS DISABLED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING A PARACHUTE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86Z-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 51-12988, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN F-86F
- Registry model: [North American F-86F](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-f-86f) (registry code 6401714) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51-12988
- Engines: GE J47-27 4850 horsepower turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Dave Zeuschel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1986
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: MIT, SHAFTER, CA
- Airport: MIT, Shafter-Minter Fld, runway 12, 4,520 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total, 270 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 10 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 19870425061019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870425061019A), Apr 25, 1987: Namer F86F, Shafter, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The pilot lost control during a forced landing after engine failure. Failed to activate hydraulic backup.

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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