# NTSB LAX90LA218: de Havilland DH-82A, N7966, Sonoma, CA, June 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1990, 12:33 local (19:33 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.24023, -122.459419 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2402&lon=-122.4594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA218

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO INADVERTENTLY ENTER INTO A STALL/MUSH CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING RUNWAY 08, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED AND ENTERED INTO A STALL/MUSH CONDITION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE DESCENT, THE ELEVATOR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. BOTH OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE IT WAS CONSUMED BY THE ENSUING POST-IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7966](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7966-2018-02-20), registration cancelled 2018-02-20, S/N 83462, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DH-82A
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 83462
- Engines: de Havilland GYPSY MAJOR 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomason, John W.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 85° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 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 19900629031669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900629031669A), Jun 29, 1990: Dhavxx DH82AROBRTSN, Sonoma, CA, Destroyed. Pilot reported no elevator control on takeoff settled back to ground impact and burned. No further details.

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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