# NTSB LAX90FA336: Lockheed PV-2, N7250C, Lakeport, CA, September 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1990, 12:29 local (19:29 UTC)
- Place: Lakeport, CA
- Coordinates: 39.040351, -122.930252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0404&lon=-122.9303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA336

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A PULL-UP FROM A LOW PASS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN BUZZING THE SEAPLANES WHICH RESULTED IN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM THE STALL, AND THE PILOT'S INEXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, other
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED MAKING SEVERAL LOW PASSES, WITH ITS SMOKE GENERATORS OPERATING, OVER SEAPLANES ANCHORED IN A LAKE. THE LAST PASS WAS REPORTEDLY AT AN ALTITUDE LESS THAN 50 FT, AND THEN THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ENTERING AN ABNORMALLY STEEP CLIMB, FOLLOWED BY A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE TO IMPACT. A VIDEO TAPE SHOWS THAT BOTH PROPELLERS WERE TURNING. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED HIS MULTI-ENGINE RATING IN A BEECH 76 ON 3/6/90, AND HIS TYPE RATING IN THE AIRPLANE 3/28/90.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7250C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7250C-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 84061 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED PV-2
- Registry model: [Lockheed PV-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-pv-2) (registry code 5260106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 84061
- Engines: P&W R2800-31 2000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lacey, Douglas M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Departed: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 811 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900929043259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900929043259A), Sep 29, 1990: Lkheed PV2AIRTDCORP, Lakeport, CA, Destroyed, 8 fatal. Pulled up from low pass over lake,performed wingover,stalled and impacted near vertical into lake. Alcohol in blood

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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