# NTSB LAX90DUG02: Wittman Tailwind W-8, N77DR, Chino, CA, November 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1989, 16:09 local (Nov 26, 1989, 00:09 UTC)
- Place: Chino, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000469, -117.680168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0005&lon=-117.6802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUG02

## Probable cause

A 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FUEL PRESENT AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77DR-1992-12-22), registration cancelled 1992-12-22, S/N 270 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8
- Registry model: [Rehling WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/rehling-wittman-tailwind-w-8) (registry code 9790812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 270
- Airframe hours: 462
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen A. Diedrich
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1989, 19 hours before
- Airport: CNO, Chino, runway 26, 3,856 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 555 total, 13 in this make and model, 475 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 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 19891125046729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891125046729A), Nov 25, 1989: Amtrwt TAILWINDW8, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine failed on final for the runway. Crashed into soft field and irrigation pipes.

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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