# NTSB LAX87LA079: Intermountain Mfg. Callair A-9, N7232V, Fremont, CA, January 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1987, 16:05 local (Jan 10, 1987, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 34.110183, -118.360588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1102&lon=-118.3606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA079

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A TOWING OPERATION, JUST AFTER LIFT-OFF THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER AT APPROXIMATELY 75 FEET AGL. THE GLIDER RELEASED AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD, RAN INTO A FENCE AND CAME TO REST IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE FUEL GAGE WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY OF FUEL. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL. THE LEFT FUEL GAGE WAS FOUND INOPERATIVE AND STUCK IN THE THREE QUARTERS FULL POSITION. THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7232V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7232V), registered now, S/N 1269, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Intermountain Mfg. (IMCO) CALLAIR A-9 (CALLAIR A-)
- Registry model: [Intermountain CALLAIR A-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/intermountain-callair-a-9) (registry code 4570620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1269
- Airframe hours: 4994
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bret Willat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1986, 33 hours before
- Departed: 8Q7, FREMONT, CA
- Airport: 8Q7, Sky Sailing, runway 28, 2,300 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,083 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,915 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD, 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 19870109000309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870109000309A), Jan 9, 1987: Airpts A9, Fremont, CA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power during glider tow operatins. Left fuel gauge found to be stuck. Pilot unfamiliar with plane.

## Other investigations on N7232V (2)

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.

- [NTSB OAK78DVD41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVD41), Jun 7, 1978: Callair A-9 (N7232V), Lodi, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK73FVD35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FVD35), May 11, 1973: Callair A-9 (N7232V), Clements, CA, destroyed

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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