# NTSB LAX87FA291: Navion A, N4388K, Hawthorne, CA, August 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1987, 10:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, CA
- Coordinates: 33.910095, -118.340385 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9101&lon=-118.3404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA291

## 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
  - fuel system,pump - leak (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ENG SPUTTERED THEN REGAINED FULL PWR. THE PLT TURNED TOWARD A NEARBY ARPT AND WAS CLEARED TO LAND. EN ROUTE TO THE ARPT THE ENGINE LOST FULL POWER. WHEN THE PILOT THOUGHT HE COULD MAKE THE RWY HE EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR AND FULL FLAPS, HOWEVER, THE ACFT BEGAN TO DESCEND MORE RAPIDLY AND THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO LAND AT THE AIRPORT AND LANDED ON A CITY STREET WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WHEN TESTED THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP LEAKED FUEL AT THE SEALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4388K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4388K-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N NAV-4-1388, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION A
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (registry code 6150104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-1388
- Airframe hours: 2295
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-9 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fiala, Paul A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1986, 173 hours before
- Departed: Q31, VISALIA, CA
- Destination: TAO, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: HHR, Hawthorne, runway 7, 4,956 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 432 total, 210 in this make and model, 391 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HHR, 1 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 19870804079659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870804079659A), Aug 4, 1987: Tmpson NAVIONA, Hawthorne, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach. Crashed into a vehicle on a city street. A leaking fuel pump had depleted the fuel.

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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