# NTSB LAX89LA288: Ryan ST3KR, N59466, Hawthorne, CA, August 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1989, 12:26 local (19:26 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, CA
- Coordinates: 33.909664, -118.340072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9097&lon=-118.3401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA288

## Probable cause

OIL STARVATION OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO TURN THE OIL TANK SUPPLY VALVE ON PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - single engine aircraft
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil tank - disabled (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole
  - object - fence
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN DURING AN AIRSHOW THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE PILOT DETECTED A HOT OIL SMELL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE PILOT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY IN A GRADED CONSTRUCTION AREA. AN FAA INSPECTOR MONITORING THE AIRSHOW ARRIVED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND FOUND THE PROPER QUANTITY OF OIL IN THE TANK AND NOTED THE OIL WAS COLD TO THE TOUCH. DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EXTENSIVE HEAT SIGNATURES, GALLING OF THE FRONT BEARING AND METAL PARTICLES DISTRIBUTED IN THE OIL SUMP; ALL CHARACTERISTICS OF OIL STARVATION. THE OIL PASSAGES AND OIL PUMP WERE NORMAL. EXAMINATION OF THE OIL TANK REVEALED THAT IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN OIL SHUT OFF VALVE. THE VALVE IS NORMALLY TURNED OFF AFTER EVERY FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE IS SURE HE TURNED THE VALVE ON PRIOR  TO THE FLIGHT, HOWEVER, THE POSITION OF THE VALVE WAS NOT DOCUMENTED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE PRE IMPACT POSITION COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED WITH CERTAINTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59466](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59466), registered now, S/N 1604 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN ST3KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1604
- Airframe hours: 1548
- Engines: KINNER R-55 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven Krattiger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 1988, 38 hours before
- Departed: HHR
- Destination: HHR
- Airport: HHR, Hawthorne Muni, runway 25, 4,956 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 536 total, 106 in this make and model, 497 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HHR

## 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 19890826031889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890826031889A), Aug 26, 1989: Ryan ST3KR, Hawthorne, CA, Substantial damage. Engine RPM drop and vibration. Hit several obstructions on forced landing. Indicates oil tank valve was off.

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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