# NTSB LAX92LA232: Wayne K. Giles Glasair Garg, N555HV, Valencia, CA, June 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1992, 11:31 local (18:31 UTC)
- Place: Valencia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.409641, -118.56044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4096&lon=-118.5604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA232

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BECAUSE OF AN UNDETERMINED INTERRUPTION IN THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.  FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER LOSS WERE RELATED TO FUEL LINE OR FITTING LEAKS AND TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system,line - leak (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - fumes (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE CRUISING IN THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE HE SMELLED THE STRONG ODOR OF FUEL FUMES IN THE COCKPIT.  WHEN HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS TO ABATE [THE] FUMES ALL ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST. UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE PILOT INDICATED HE BEGAN CONCENTRATING ON MAKING A FORCED LANDING.  ON FINAL APPROACH TO A PARKING LOT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH UNOBSERVED POWER LINES AND NOSED OVER.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN THE ENGINE.  FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LINES BETWEEN THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SERVO, AND IN THE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY. EVIDENCE WAS ALSO FOUND OF PREIMPACT FUEL LEAKS (SEEPING AND STAINING) NEAR FUEL LINES AND FITTINGS IN AIRFRAME STRUCTURE AFT OF THE FIREWALL. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE AIRPLANE'S PREVIOUS OWNER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555HV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555HV-1992-09-23), registration cancelled 1992-09-23, S/N G570 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WAYNE K. GILES GLASAIR GARG (GLASAIR GA)
- Registry model: [Giles Wayne K GLASAIR GARG](https://openairdocs.org/model/giles-wayne-k-glasair-garg) (registry code 05655TM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: G570
- Airframe hours: 125
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold J. Ballatin
- Registered owner: Delores & Gary Rawley
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1991, 22 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Destination: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 22,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 1 °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 19920603018249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920603018249A), Jun 3, 1992: Amtr GLASAIR, Valencia, CA, Destroyed. Fuel fumes in cockpit. Switched tanks. Engine quit. Unable restart. Hit wires on landing. Numerous fuel leaks.

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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