# NTSB LAX87FA264: Ryan ST3KR, N48777, Firebaugh, CA, July 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 17:11 local (Jul 13, 1987, 00:11 UTC)
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Coordinates: 36.849678, -120.539787 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8497&lon=-120.5398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1650 PDT, THE PLTS OF 2 RYAN ST3KR ACFT DEPD COALINGA ON A FLT TO LOS BANOS, CA. AT ABOUT 1709 PDT, THE PLT OF N48777 MADE A HAND SIGNAL TO THE OTHER PLT, POINTED TOWARD THE GROUND & ENTERED 'A NORMAL GLIDE.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT OF N48777 MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO LAND IN A COTTON FLD. HOWEVER, A WITNESS SAID THAT BEFORE LANDING, THE ACFT'S NOSE PITCHED UP, THEN THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED IN AN ESTD 20 DEG LEFT WING DOWN, 30 DEG NOSELOW ATTITUDE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT APRX 1/3 GAL OF FUEL HAD DRAINED FM THE FUEL TANK.THE CARBURETOR HAD BROKEN DRG IMPACT; NO FUEL WAS FND IN THE LINE TO THE CARBURETOR. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FND IN THE OFF PSN (SMALL POINTER PSND TOWARD 'BOTH OFF' & THE HANDLE POINTING TOWARD 'MAIN ON'). THE FUEL SYS HAD A STANDPIPE TO PROVIDE 3 GAL OF RESERVE FUEL, BUT THE PLT'S MANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL WASN'T DETERMINED. ANOTHER ST3KR PLT ESTD N48777 HADABOUT 10 GAL OF FUEL BEFORE THE FLT. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.04%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48777](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48777), registered now, S/N 1068, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN ST3KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1068
- Engines: KINNER R-55 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William B. Richards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1984
- Departed: 308, COALINGA, CA
- Destination: LSN, LOS BANOS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19870712083149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712083149A), Jul 12, 1987: Ryan ST3KR, Firebaugh, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Advised other aircraft traveling together of forced landing then crashed. Was out of fuel. Had consumed alcohol.

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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