# NTSB LAX91LA102: Curtiss-Wright E-4000, N9048, Watsonville, CA, February 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1991, 15:41 local (23:41 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950038, -121.720069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9500&lon=-121.7201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA102

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE DESIGN AND LENGTH OF THE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY CABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - shorted (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, unknown (cause)
  - acft/equip inadequate,equipment interference (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE AND TAXIED OFF THE RUNWAY WHEN SMOKE EMANATED FROM THE LOWER RIGHT FRONT AREA BENEATH THE ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX.  THE PILOT STOPPED THE AIRPLANE AND HE AND THE PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE AIRPLANE.  MOMENTS LATER FLAMES CONSUMED THE FABRIC COVERED AIRPLANE.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED THAT THE STAINLESS STEEL TAILWHEEL ASSY CABLE CONTAINED CONSIDERABLE SLACK WHICH ALLOWED IT TO CONTACT THE ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BOX DURING A TURN.  THIS INADEQUATE DESIGN AND ROUTING CAUSED IT TO FUSE AND SHORT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.  THE SLACK IS NOT NOTICEABLE WHEN THE TAILWHEEL IS NOT TURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9048](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9048), registered now, S/N 849, built 1928 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Curtiss-Wright E-4000
- Registry model: [Travel Air E-4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/travel-air-e-4000) (registry code 2621826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental R670-SERIES series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r670-series-series) (registry code 17016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 849
- Airframe hours: 5004
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Paul King, doing business as Biplane Leasing
- Registered owner: Paul King
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 18, 1991, 14 hours before
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 648 total, 78 in this make and model, 599 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910217002509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910217002509A), Feb 17, 1991: Curtis TRVAIRE4000, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Fire erupted in cabin under dash. Slack in tail wheel steering cable shorted out electric junction box.

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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