# NTSB LAX90DUM02: Cunningham Prescott Pusher, N58PP, San Diego, CA, May 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1990, 09:46 local (16:46 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.839759, -116.879592 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8398&lon=-116.8796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUM02

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE OF HE INTERNAL COMPONENTS TO THE ENGINE.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,piston - seized (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor float - low level (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - burned (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL DURING THE ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. EXAMINATION OF THE SPARK PLUG TO THE NO. 3 CYLINDER HAD BURNED/MELTED WITH THE OTHERS INDICATING EXCESSIVE HEAT DAMAGE. THE NO. 3 PISTON WAS FOUND SEIZED ON THE CONNECTING ROD. THE FLOAT IN THE CARBURETOR WAS FOUND SET TO A VERY LEAN CONDITION WITH THE FLOAT CHAMBER VENT LINE PLUGGED/CAPPED OFF. THE TOTAL ENGINE TIME WAS 1.9 HOURS WITH A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58PP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58PP-1990-06-11), registration cancelled 1990-06-11, S/N 42 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CUNNINGHAM PRESCOTT PUSHER (PRESCOTT P)
- Registry model: [Cunningham E W C PRESCOTT PUSHER](https://openairdocs.org/model/cunningham-e-w-c-prescott-pusher) (registry code 05616R5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 42
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: Ford V-6 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cunningham, Coulter
- Registered owner: Ewc Cunningham
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 16, 1990, 2 hours before
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 27,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 21,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900517016509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900517016509A), May 17, 1990: Amtrpa PUSHER, San Diego, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Converted ford engine seized on climbout. Trying to return struck hillside. Wrong type spark plugs.

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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