# NTSB LAX87LA143: Stinson 108-1, N8185K, Saugus, CA, March 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1987, 19:25 local (Mar 13, 1987, 03:25 UTC)
- Place: Saugus, CA
- Coordinates: 34.429702, -118.460845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4297&lon=-118.4608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA143

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

UPON CONTACTING ATC, THE PLT REQUESTED AN ILS APCH AND THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE CONTROLLER CLEARED THE PLT TO THE ILS. JUST INSIDE THE OUTER MARKER THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HE WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW AND TO CLIMB IMMEDIATELY. THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORTHERLY TURN. THE CONTROLLER ASKED THE PLT HIS INTENTIONS AND THE PLT REPLIED HE WANTED AN ILS TO THE ARPT. THE CONTROLLER GAVE THE PLT VECTORS BACK TO THE ILS WHEN THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING THROUGH A HOLE IN VMC. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AND THE CONTROLLER HAD TO USE ANOTHER ACFT TO RELAY MESSAGES TO THE PLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT TO SQUAWK 7700 AND THAT IF HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO ANOTHER ARPT HE SHOULD FIND A FLAT SPOT AND LAND. THE PLT FOUND A DRY WASH AND LANDED. WHILE TAXIING TO HIGHER GROUND, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8185K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8185K-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 108-1185, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4A4100 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4a4100-series) (registry code 27014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-1185
- Airframe hours: 3795
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Foley, John L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1986
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,742 total, 1,206 in this make and model, 1,742 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 10 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 19870312006009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870312006009A), Mar 12, 1987: Univar 1081, Saugus, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a fence AFT4ER a safe precautionary landing. Pilot failed tokeep required fuel reserve.

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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