# NTSB LAX88DVM03: Wittman Tailwind W-8, N333HL, Watsonville, CA, August 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1988, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Location: 36.9236° N, 121.7724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watsonville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9236&lon=-121.7724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVM03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N333HL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N333HL), registered now, S/N 286, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8 (TAILWIND W)
- Registry model: [Lafleur Hal A WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/lafleur-hal-a-wittman-tailwind-w-8) (registry code 9790511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 286
- Airframe hours: 555
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ms. Roruko Demand
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 5, 1988, 104 hours before
- Departed: 307, HOLLISTER, CA
- Destination: HAF, HALF MOON BAY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,380 total, 380 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK

## 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 19880807030709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880807030709A), Aug 7, 1988: Amtrwt TAILWINDW8, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climb to cruise. Nosed over landing. Connecting rods broken. Bolts for one connecting rod missing.

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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