# NTSB LAX89LA015: Howard GFA-15P, N68119, Vacaville, CA, October 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1988, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.409675, -122.009086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4097&lon=-122.0091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND THE MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N68119 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Howard Aircraft Corp. GFA-15P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 909
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Palmer L. Blote
- Registered owner: Blote, Palmer L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Airport: 045, Nut Tree, runway 1, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,437 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,342 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TZZ

## 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 19881016063049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881016063049A), Oct 16, 1988: Howard DGA15P, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing. Veered off the runway collapsing the left main landing gear.

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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