# NTSB LAX89LA114: North American AT-6, N6972C, Compton, CA, February 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1989, 16:45 local (Feb 23, 1989, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Compton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.870567, -118.240676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8706&lon=-118.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA114

## Probable cause

FATIGUE CRACKS THAT EXISTED IN AN ENGINE CYLINDER.

## 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 - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE BEGINNING OF A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. WIRES WERE STRUCK DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER FIVE CYLINDER WAS CRACKED IN TWO PARTS. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THREE SEPARATE FATIGUE CRACKS EXISTED PRIOR TO THE FINAL BREAK. COMBUSTION BY-PRODUCTS WERE NOTED IN THE CRACKS AND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CYLINDER IN THE AREA OF THE CRACKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6972C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6972C-2016-11-17), registration cancelled 2016-11-17, S/N 90680, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6
- Registry model: [North American AT-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-at-6) (registry code 6400402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 90680
- Airframe hours: 7024
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James K. Fox
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1988, 13 hours before
- Departed: CMT, COMPTON, CA
- Airport: Compton, runway 25, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,926 total, 652 in this make and model, 5,732 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19890222002399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890222002399A), Feb 22, 1989: Namer AT6, Compton, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Force landed on city street. Hit wires and poles. Found a fatigue-cracked engine cylinder.

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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