# NTSB LAX90LA004: North American SNJ-5, N12377, Pacoima, CA, October 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1989, 19:30 local (Oct 3, 1989, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.25011, -118.409309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2501&lon=-118.4093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE PROPER ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY DURING A NIGHT APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - pole

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN UNLIGHTED POLE 41 FT AGL 1700 FT SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD. THE PLT STATED THAT THE VISUAL CUES HE WAS USING OUTSIDE THE COCKPIT WERE INADEQUATE FOR HIS NIGHTTIME APPROACH. AFTER THE COLLISION THE PLT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND AND RETURNED TO VAN NUYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12377](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12377-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 85086 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 85086
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. J. Richardson
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: WHP, Whiteman, runway 12, 3,725 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,800 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 135° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19891002039259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891002039259A), Oct 2, 1989: Namer SNJ5, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. On final for the runway,collided with an unlighted power pole,was unaware of descent. Made go around. Landed safely

## Other investigations on N12377 (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN18FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA147), Apr 25, 2018: North American SNJ 5 (N12377), Kingsville, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a steep turn after takeoff, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent accelerated stall at an altitude too…
- [NTSB MIA66D0545](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66D0545), May 5, 1966: N. American SNJ (N12377), Batesville, MS, substantial damage

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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