# NTSB LAX89DUQ03: Martin Sorrell Hiperlight, N85HL, Liano, CA, April 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1989, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Liano, CA
- Coordinates: 34.490741, -117.770675 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4907&lon=-117.7707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DUQ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DUQ03

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A SEIZED PISTON.

## 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, takeoff
  - engine assembly,piston - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

AN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE PISTON HAD SEIZED WITH FOUR POINTS OF CONTACT ALONG THE CYLINDER WALL. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RECENTLY OVERHAULED AND HAD 1.1 TOTAL HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE TWO CYCLE ENGINE (MANUFACTURERED BY ROTAX) HELD NO FAA APPROVAL BY EITHER TYPE CERTIFICATE OR PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85HL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85HL-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 82 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MARTIN SORRELL HIPERLIGHT (SORRELL HI)
- Registry model: [Martin David A SORRELL HYPERLIGHT](https://openairdocs.org/model/martin-david-a-sorrell-hyperlight) (registry code 05655SF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 082
- Airframe hours: 108
- Engines: ROTAX 277 28 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lopez, Dale Allen
- Registered owner: Rick L. Underwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1989, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 366 total, 1 in this make and model, 305 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890402009429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890402009429A), Apr 2, 1989: Amtrhy SNS8, Liano, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb on test flight after overhaul. Crash landed off airport. Cylinder seized.

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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