# NTSB LAX90DUD01: Wheeler Acft. Express 100, N200EX, W. Los Angeles, CA, October 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1989, 17:23 local (Oct 27, 1989, 00:23 UTC)
- Place: W. Los Angeles, CA
- Coordinates: 34.030235, -118.42955 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0302&lon=-118.4296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUD01

## Probable cause

THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE WEARING AWAY OF THE PISTON PIN PLUG, CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS, AND THE BREAKAGE OF THE CONNECTING ROD AT THE LOWER END. CONTRIBUTING TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FORCED LANDING INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA AS THE ONLY LANDING SITE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,piston - worn (cause)
  - lubricating system - contamination
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - residence

## Analysis

THE ENGINE ON THE AIRCRAFT FAILED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT ABOUT 10 MILES EAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND HIS GLIDE AND WAS FORCED TO LAND INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA COLLIDING WITH SEVERAL HOMES. THE PISTON PIN PLUG IN ONE CYLINDER HAD WORN AWAY DAMAGING THE PISTON. THE CONNECTING RODS HAD THEIR BEARINGS WORN AWAY AND ONE CONNECTING ROD WAS FOUND BROKEN AT THE LOWER END.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N200EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N200EX-1992-06-18), registration cancelled 1992-06-18, S/N 100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Wheeler Acft. Co. EXPRESS 100 (EXPRESS 10)
- Registry model: [Wheeler WA 200](https://openairdocs.org/model/wheeler-wa-200) (registry code 05612HK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 100
- Airframe hours: 1005
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wheeler Aircraft Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1989, 11 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Airport: SMO, Santa Monica, runway 3, 4,980 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,094 total, 658 in this make and model, 1,004 as pilot in command, 276 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- 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 19891026043089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891026043089A), Oct 26, 1989: Amtr EXPRESS 100, Santa Monica, CA, Destroyed. Lost power, tried to return but crashed into houses and vehicle on forced landing. Internal engine damage.

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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