# NTSB LAX87FA065: Rockwell 112TC, N112DM, Gardena, CA, December 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1986, 18:00 local (Dec 18, 1986, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Gardena, CA
- Coordinates: 33.889816, -118.29 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8898&lon=-118.2900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle
- In flight collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN AND LAND AT HIS HOME AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT'S LANDING GEAR FAILED TO RETRACT AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF. AFTER REENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN THE PILOT CHANGED HIS FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT TANK FOR LANDING. AS THE AIRCRAFT TURNED ONTO THE FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER A DENSELY POPULATED AREA AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A STREET. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A PEDESTRAIN AND AN AUTOMOBILE AS IT LANDED ON THE STREET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N112DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N112DM-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 13007, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rockwell 112TC
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tc) (registry code 7630306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13007
- Airframe hours: 1861
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1A6D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hawthorne Aviation Service
- Registered owner: Adolph Burstein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Airport: HHR, Hawthorne Muni, runway 25, 4,956 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 318 total, 15 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 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 19861217070909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861217070909A), Dec 17, 1986: Gulstm 112TC, Hawthorne, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Loss of tension on the fuel selector lock tab allowed pilot to turn selector to off position. Hit person and autos.

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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