# NTSB LAX88LA293: Aeronca 0-58B, N56740, Grass Valley, CA, August 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1988, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.110225, -121.119728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1102&lon=-121.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA293

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED THEN QUIT. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO A PLATEAU DIRECTLY BELOW. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE FLEW THROUGH A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ON THE PLATEAU, INSTEAD IT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES PRIOR TO THE PLATEAU. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EXHAUSTED OF FUEL. THE FLT TIME WAS 30 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56740](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56740), registered now, S/N 058B12873 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 0-58B
- Registry model: [Aeronca 0-58B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-0-58b) (registry code 0191006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 058B12873
- Airframe hours: 1361
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andersen, George W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1988, 38 hours before
- Departed: 051, LINCOLN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 242 total, 198 in this make and model, 193 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880821034449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880821034449A), Aug 21, 1988: Aronca O58B, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel and hit trees trying to land in a open field.

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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