# NTSB LAX90DVG12: E.J. Novotny Steen Skybolt, N78EJ, Fall River Mill, CA, July 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1990, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Fall River Mill, CA
- Coordinates: 41.010486, -121.469154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0105&lon=-121.4692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVG12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVG12

## Probable cause

LOSS OF 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. SEVERAL GROUND WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE 'MISSING' PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED WITH 100 LOW LEAD PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE DENSITY ATTITUDE WAS CALCULATED AT ABOUT 6200 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78EJ-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 1, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: E.J. NOVOTNY STEEN SKYBOLT (STEEN SKYB)
- Registry model: [Novotny-Edward SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/novotny-edward-skybolt) (registry code 05655M7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward J. Novotny, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: AWN, AUBURN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 410 total, 12 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD, 50 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 19900720027739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900720027739A), Jul 20, 1990: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Fall River Mill, CA, Substantial damage. Crashed on climbout. No details. Witness heard engine missing. High density altitude.

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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