# NTSB LAX87LA214: Boeing A75N1, N90840, San Ardo, CA, May 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1987, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: San Ardo, CA
- Coordinates: 36.090507, -120.820449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0905&lon=-120.8204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING WHERE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES THEN CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN APRX THREE FT OF WATER.  THE ACFT HAS HISTORY OF FOULED SPARK PLUGS RESULTING IN A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE.  THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REMOVED AND INSPECTED, NOTING THAT THE NUMBER 4 PLUG WAS FINGER TIGHT.  FRONT AND BACK PLUGS 1, 2, 6, AND 7 DISPLAYED NORMAL OPERATING SIGNATURES.  NUMBERS 3, 4, AND 5 WHEN REMOVED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF A WATER AND OIL MIXTURE DRAINED.  A SANDY TYPE SUBSTANCE AND VEGETATION WERE NOTED ON THE PLUGS.THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION NOTED IN THE REST OF THE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90840](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90840), registered now, S/N 75-1619, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-1619
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W6706N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gast, Eugene O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 100 hours before
- Departed: L52, OCEANO, CA
- Destination: SRF, SAN RAFAEL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,200 total, 600 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRB, 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 19870522020559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870522020559A), May 22, 1987: Boeing A75N1, San Ardo, CA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power. Aircraft hit wires and landed in a river. Engine had a history of fouled spark plugs.

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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