# NTSB LAX92LA118: Avions Mudry CAP-10B, N64ND, Santa Paula, CA, February 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1992, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.310638, -118.870841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3106&lon=-118.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA118

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANES'S LEFT WING SPAR DUE TO STRESS OVERLOADING CAUSED BY PRE-EXISTING COMPRESSION FAILURES IN THE LAMINATE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,spar - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, unknown
  - wing,spar - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE STARTED A LOOP AT ABOUT 4,500 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL.  HE ENTERED THE MANEUVER AT 160 MPH AND 'PULLED 5 TO 5 1/2 G'S (EST).'   HE STATED THAT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE UP ATTITUDE, HE HEARD A 'LOUD BANG.'  HE REMOVED HIS SEAT BELTS (2), EXITED THE AIRPLANE, AND PARACHUTED TO SAFETY.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND AIRPLANE REVEALED THE LEFT WING FAILED AND DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LOOP MANEUVER.  A LABORATORY EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED WOODEN WING REVEALED, IN PART '...THAT FAILURE OCCURRED PROBABLY BECAUSE OF OVERLOADING OF THE SPAR.'  THE LABORATORY REPORT FURTHER STATED 'THE VERY BRASH FAILURE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE COMPRESSION LAMINATE SUGGESTS PRE-EXISTING COMPRESSION FAILURES IN THE LAMINATE BEFORE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THROUGH THE CRITICAL LOADING AREA.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64ND-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 175, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Avions Mudry CAP-10B
- Registry model: [Avions Mudry ET Cie CAP 10B](https://openairdocs.org/model/avions-mudry-et-cie-cap-10b) (registry code 0950102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 175
- Airframe hours: 1405
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-B2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter Poland
- Registered owner: Peter Poland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1991, 102 hours before
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 21 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °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 19920215002959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920215002959A), Feb 15, 1992: Mudry CAP10B, Santa Paula, CA, Destroyed. Wing spar failed on initial sharp pullup for a loop. Pilot bailed out safely. Spar weakened by prior overstress.

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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