# NTSB LAX88FA273: Rearwin 8500, N15855, Glendale, CA, July 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1988, 14:01 local (21:01 UTC)
- Place: Glendale, CA
- Coordinates: 34.169887, -118.289299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1699&lon=-118.2893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA273

## Probable cause

SEPERATION OF AN ENGINE CYLINDER THAT MOVED INTO THE PLANE OF THE WOODEN PROPELLER BLADES. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE SHEARED BY THE DISLODGED CYLINDER. THE ROUGH LANDING SURFACE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - sheared (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD PENETRATED A TCA WITHOUT CLEARANCE WHEN, AT THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, A POLICE HELICOPTER GAVE CHASE. AS THE HELICOPTER NEARED THE AIRPLANE THE HELICOPTER CREW REPORTED THAT PARTS WERE FALLING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE HELICOPTER FOLLOWED THE AIRPLANE AS IT DESCENDED AND TOUCHED DOWN IN A ROUGH DRY RIVER BED. THE AIRPLANES LANDING GEAR SHEARED ON TOUCHDOWN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. AN ENGINE EXAM REVEALED A CYLINDER HAD SEPARATED AND SHEARED THE PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15855](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15855-2011-04-11), registration cancelled 2011-04-11, S/N 455, built 1936 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Rearwin 8500
- Registry model: [Rearwin 8500](https://openairdocs.org/model/rearwin-8500) (registry code 2371302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Ken Royce 90-5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ken-royce-90-5-series) (registry code 37002, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 455
- Airframe hours: 3744
- Engines: unknown LEBOND 85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Otto Thress, Jr.
- Registered owner: Thress, Otto Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WHP, POCOIMA, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEECH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 15 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 19880729028369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880729028369A), Jul 29, 1988: Comwth REWN8500, Glendale, CA, Substantial damage. Cylinder pulled out of engine case and shattered the wood prop. Crash landed.

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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