# NTSB LAX87DVD02: Culver Cadet LFA, N37838, Antioch, CA, March 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1987, 16:21 local (Mar 24, 1987, 00:21 UTC)
- Place: Antioch, CA
- Coordinates: 37.990814, -121.810874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9908&lon=-121.8109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DVD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVD02

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLT, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT TAKE-OFF INTO A HEADWIND. AT APRX 1000 FT AGL, THE NOSE OF THE ACFT CAME UP THEN DOWN. THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE PROPELLER APPEARED TO BE SLOWING DOWN. THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE AFTER IMPACT. DUE TO THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED FROM THE IMPACT AND FIRE, IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - fire

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37838](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37838-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 342 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CULVER CADET LFA
- Registry model: [Culver LFA](https://openairdocs.org/model/culver-lfa) (registry code 8730204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 342
- Engines: FRANKLIN 4AC-176 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reuben A Barry
- Registered owner: Reuben A Barry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 012, ANTIOCH, CA
- Airport: 012, Antioch, runway 27, 2,480 × 33 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870323007279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870323007279A), Mar 23, 1987: Supac LFA, Antioch, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft stalled during takeoff and impacted the ground. Witnesses report engine had failed.

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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