# NTSB LAX87LA220: Ryan ST-A, N14954, Mariposa, CA, May 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1987, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Mariposa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490364, -119.999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4904&lon=-119.9990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA220

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

AT THE START OF A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT STARTED TO VEER TO THE LEFT. THE PLT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER TO CORRECT, HOWEVER, THE ACFT DID NOT RESPOND BEFORE THE LEFT MAIN LEFT THE EDGE OF THE RWY AND DUG IN THE SOFT DIRT FORCING THE ACFT TO TURN FURTHER TO THE LEFT. THE PLT CHOSE TO ABORT THE TAKE-OFF AND CLOSED THE THROTTLE. THE ACFT THEN COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BERM AT APRX 40 MPH AND NOSED OVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS TAKING-OFF ON RWY 26, WITH THE WIND FROM 250 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14954](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14954), registered now, S/N 110, built 1935 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN ST-A
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st-a) (registry code 7830402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Menasco PIRATE C4 D4](https://openairdocs.org/engine/menasco-pirate-c4-d4) (registry code 43504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: N110
- Airframe hours: 4146
- Engines: MENASCO D-4-87 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Salsburg, Benjamin L.
- Registered owner: Salsburg, Benjamin L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1987, 30 hours before
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Airport: 068, Mariposayosemite, runway 26, 3,310 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 997 total, 460 in this make and model, 967 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 26 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 19870530059009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870530059009A), May 30, 1987: Ryan STA, Mariposa, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control after raising tail on takeoff roll. Departed runway, struck a berm, flipped over.

## Other investigations on N14954 (1)

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 OAK69D0282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69D0282), Apr 26, 1969: Ryan ST-A (N14954), Antioch, CA, substantial damage

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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