# NTSB LAX89FA295: North American P51D, N51MR, Mar Vista, CA, September 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1989, 17:45 local (Sep 3, 1989, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Mar Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 33.99945, -118.429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9995&lon=-118.4290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA295

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND NOT FOLLOWING ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES AFTER THE LOSS OF POWER AFTER TAKEOFF. THE FAILURE OF AN INTAKE VALVE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - jammed (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE'S NUMBER 5 INTAKE VALVE SEAT BACKED OUT OF THE HEAD IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER OF 3 CYLINDERS. THE PILOT ENTERED A TURN TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE. THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL RECOMMENDED A STRAIGHT AHEAD FLIGHT PATH IN THE EVENT OF A POWER LOSS. THE REMAINING 9 CYLINDERS WERE PRODUCING SUFFICIENT POWER TO ENABLE THE AIRCRAFT TO SLOWLY CLIMB ON A STRAIGHT AHEAD FLIGHT PATH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51MR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51MR), registered now, S/N 44-73163, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN P51D
- Registry model: [North American/Aero Classics P-51D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-aero-classics-p-51d) (registry code 6402304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pkrd-Roll V1650 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pkrd-roll-v1650-series) (registry code 49001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-73163
- Engines: Rolls-Royce V-1650-7 1490 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jackson Mcgoon Acft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Departed: SMO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SMO, 1 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 19890902033449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890902033449A), Sep 2, 1989: Namer P51D, Santa Monica, CA, Substantial damage. Rough engine,power loss on takeoff,tried to return. Stalled, hit a residence. Valve seat loosened jammed open valve

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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