# NTSB LAX89DVM05: Skelton Emeraude, N82D, Watsonville, CA, August 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1989, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.949348, -121.72097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9493&lon=-121.7210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVM05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVM05

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE FUEL LINE, DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY THE OWNER/BUILDER, FUEL LINE FAILURE, FUEL LINE LEAK, AND A SUBSEQUENT FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,line - inadequate (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - fuel system,line - failure,total (cause)
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN APCH TO LND, THE PLT & PSGR NOTED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT & SAW FLAMES COMING THRU THE FLOOR IN THE VCNTY OF THE PLT'S RUDDER PEDALS. A SAFE LNDG WAS MADE & THE CREW EGRESSED THE BURNING ACFT. THE HOME BUILT ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL LINES FROM THE CARBURETOR TO THE FUEL SCREEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FIRE WALL. ALSO, PLASTIC FLEX LINES WERE (APPARENTLY) USED FROM THE BRAKE PEDALS TO THE BRAKE CYLINDERS. BOTH LINES WERE MELTED BY FIRE. THE FUSELAGE, WINGS & EMPENNAGE WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82D-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 1456 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SKELTON EMERAUDE
- Registry model: [Skelton Dwight EMERAUDE](https://openairdocs.org/model/skelton-dwight-emeraude) (registry code 7020239) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1456
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dwight Skelton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 16 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 18 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 19890814029279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890814029279A), Aug 14, 1989: Amtrlt EMERAUDCP300, Watsonville, CA, Destroyed. Fire erupted in engine compartment. Landed with smoke and flames entering cockpit. Aircraft totally burned.

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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