# NTSB LAX90DUM01: Freeman H Easton Falcon XP, N542AA, Glamis, CA, March 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1990, 10:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Glamis, CA
- Coordinates: 32.770946, -115.599128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7709&lon=-115.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUM01

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP AFTER EXPERIENCING A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - powerplant - undetermined
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 86 YEAR OLD PILOT OF A HOMEBUILT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL ENGINE FAILURE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT DID NOT USE THE SHOULDER HARNESS AND WAS FATALLY INJURED. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE SPUTTERING AND SAW THE WINGS WOBBLE BACK AND FOURTH PRIOR TO THE CRASH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE FUEL PUMP, FUEL LINES, FUEL TANK AND CARBURETOR WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N542AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N542AA-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 600163, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FREEMAN H EASTON FALCON XP
- Registry model: [Easton Freeman/Ora FALCON-XP](https://openairdocs.org/model/easton-freeman-ora-falcon-xp) (registry code 05658NS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 600163
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: Bombardier ROTAX 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Freeman & Ora Easton
- Registered owner: Freeman H Easton/Ora F Easton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1990, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 86; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 70 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900331006889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900331006889A), Mar 31, 1990: Amtrat FALCONXP, Glamis, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine faltered after takeoff. Tried to turn back but struck a tree in center of open area.

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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