# NTSB LAX90LA306: Ryan Navion, N4220K, San Diego, CA, August 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1990, 13:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.799232, -117.12947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7992&lon=-117.1295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA306

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY BLOCKAGE OF FUEL INLET SCREEN BY PIECE OF IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FUEL HOSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wall/barricade

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FREEWAY GUARDRAIL DURING THE FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED A BLOCKAGE IN THE FUEL INLET SCREEN. THE BLOCKAGE WAS IDENTIFIED AS A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE INTERLINER. RECORDS INDICATE THE FUEL HOSE WAS FABRICATED AND INSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 19, 1990, AT ABOUT 38 TACH HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. RECORDS ALSO INDICATE THE ENGINE WAS MAJOR OVERHAULED ON DECEMBER 12, 1989, AT WHICH TIME ALL FUEL, OIL AND HYDRAULIC HOSES WERE REPLACED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4220K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4220K-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N NAV-4-1220, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-a) (registry code 6150162) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1220
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E185 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Smith
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 902 total, 800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MYF

## 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 19900827036469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900827036469A), Aug 27, 1990: Tmpson NAVIONA, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed on freeway. Carburetor screen clogged by shaving from gas line hose.

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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