# NTSB LAX90LA285: Taylorcraft DC-65, N67755, Morgan Hill, CA, August 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1990, 11:34 local (18:34 UTC)
- Place: Morgan Hill, CA
- Coordinates: 37.169784, -121.650894 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1698&lon=-121.6509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA285

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED HE OBSERVED TWO THIRDS FUEL REMAINING ON THE FUEL TANK SIGHT GAUGES BEFORE DEPARTURE FOR A DUAL PERIOD.  THE STUDENT PILOT STATED SHE SAW NO FUEL INDICATION ON THE SIGHT GAUGES AND SO STATED TO THE INSTRUCTOR BEFORE DEPARTURE.  NO FURTHER MENTION OF FUEL WAS MADE.  THE AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED AFTER FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67755](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67755), registered now, S/N 6023, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT DC-65
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft DC-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dc-65) (registry code 8850402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6023
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65/8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Amelia Reid Aviation
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: RHV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,874 total, 184 in this make and model, 11,744 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 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 19900812033279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900812033279A), Aug 12, 1990: Tcrafk DC65TCRAFT, Morgan Hill, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on local dual flight. On landing wing struck a tree.

## Other investigations on N67755 (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 OAK79FVM19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FVM19), Apr 24, 1979: Taylorcraft DC-65 (N67755), San Jose, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK70D0141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0141), Oct 13, 1969: Taylorcraft DC-65 (N67755), San Jose, CA, 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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