# NTSB LAX87LA005: Waco YKS-7, N50RA, San Diego, CA, October 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1986, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.800457, -117.129112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8005&lon=-117.1291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA005

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED MONTGOMERY AIRPORT AT ABT 0954 HOURS. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO CUT-IN AND OUT. THE PLT CONTACTED GILLESPIE AIRPORT TOWER AND REQUESTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A GOLF COURSE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SANDTRAP. THE POST ACCIDENT WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DSCLSD THAT THE FUEL TANKS CONTAINED LESS THAT 9 OUNCES OF FUEL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION; HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED AMPLE FUEL FOR THE SHORT FLT TO BROWN FIELD, SAN DIEGO, CA. THE MASTER SWITCH WAS TURNED ON AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ABT 1/4 FULL; THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ABT 1/2 FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50RA-1992-05-06), registration cancelled 1992-05-06, S/N 4693 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO YKS-7
- Registry model: [Waco YKS-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-yks-7) (registry code 9600835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4693
- Airframe hours: 1527
- Engines: JACOBS L4MB 245 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allen, Willis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 1986, 11 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 47 in this make and model, 68 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19861004047669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861004047669A), Oct 4, 1986: Waco YKS7, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Emergency landing. Collided with sand trap on golf course. Fuel exhaustion. Faulty fuel gauge.

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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