# NTSB LAX90DVG10: Childs 360, N360GC, Davis, CA, June 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1990, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550136, -121.799415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5501&lon=-121.7994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVG10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVG10

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AFTER THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE THE STOPPER TO THE FUEL TANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - not secured (contributing factor)
  - installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT OBSERVED THE FUEL TANK STOPPER BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND DEPART THE AIRCRAFT. A LARGE QUANTITY OF FUEL SURGED OUT OF THE TANK. DURING THE RETURN TO THE RUNWAY THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A STORAGE BUILDING DURING THE DESCENT AND LANDING. THE PILOT STATED HE MAY NOT HAVE SECURED THE STOPPER TIGHT ENOUGH AFTER AN EARLIER REFUELING THAT MORNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N360GC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N360GC-1991-10-17), registration cancelled 1991-10-17, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHILDS 360
- Registry model: [Childs Gary P REBEL 360](https://openairdocs.org/model/childs-gary-p-rebel-360) (registry code 056124N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 141
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary P. Childs
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1989, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,244 total, 141 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °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 19900623021939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623021939A), Jun 23, 1990: Amtr REBEL360, Davis, CA, Destroyed. Fuel tank cap came off on takeoff and siphoned the fuel,starving engine of fuel. Trying to land, crashed into shed.

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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