# NTSB LAX89LA232: Ryan SCW-145, N46207, Santa Paula, CA, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.400791, -119.069778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4008&lon=-119.0698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA232

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 700 FEET AGL. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD INSTEAD OF RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN ROUGH TERRAIN, DAMAGING BOTH WINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46207](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46207), registered now, S/N 211, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN SCW-145
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical SCW-145](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-scw-145) (registry code 7830302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SS40&50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (registry code 64503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 211
- Engines: WARNER 50/SS498 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Senter, Kenneth L
- Registered owner: Senter, Kenneth L
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 231 total, 33 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °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 19890709020949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709020949A), Jul 9, 1989: Ryan SCW145, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Crash landed in rough terrain. Fuel selector found off. Pilot unsure of selector position.

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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