# NTSB LAX93LA017: Pasporello, J.F. RV-3, N65JP, Lompoc, CA, October 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1992, 18:18 local (Oct 23, 1992, 01:18 UTC)
- Place: Lompoc, CA
- Coordinates: 34.600013, -120.390419 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6000&lon=-120.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA017

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF AN UNIDENTIFIED AIRFRAME OR COMPONENT SYSTEM FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AND THE RESULTING INFLIGHT FIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Fire, maneuvering
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE EXPERIMENTAL HOME BUILT AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT INDICATED TO AN ACQUAINTANCE THAT HE PLANNED TO FLY OVER THE WITNESS' HOUSE AND SHOW HIM HIS AIRPLANE.  THE WITNESS REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE PERFORM A 120 DEGREE CLIMBING TURN WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY AN ABRUPT LEFT CLIMBING TURN, AND THEN A FIRE WAS OBSERVED. OTHER WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING A FIRE AROUND BOTH WINGS, AND THEN THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE HARD GROUND IN A NOSE LOW PITCH ATTITUDE.  A FIRE IMMEDIATELY ERUPTED WHICH FURTHER DESTROYED THE FRAGMENTED STRUCTURE.  THE EVENT WHICH PRECIPITATED THE IN FLIGHT FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED.  THE AIRPLANE'S SLIDE TYPE CANOPY, WHICH SMELLED OF SMOKE, WAS FOUND ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65JP-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 523, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PASPORELLO, J.F. RV-3
- Registry model: [Pastorello Joseph Frank RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/pastorello-joseph-frank-rv-3) (registry code 05608E2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 523
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles L. Wynne
- Registered owner: Donald Moxham
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19921022044349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921022044349A), Oct 22, 1992: Amtrvn VANSRV3, Lompoc, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed to have engine fire after series of manuevers. Dived into ground. Source of fire unknown. No parachute.

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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