# NTSB LAX93LA178: Mcreynolds Cassutt III, N7S, Napa, CA, April 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1993, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550315, -122.150878 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5503&lon=-122.1509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA178

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED THE SONOMA SKYPARK AIRPORT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT INCURRED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A ROAD WHEN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN AN ADJACENT FIELD. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE APPEARED TO HAVE ADEQUATE FUEL AND OIL. THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT WAS FREE TO TURN, WITH COMPRESSION AND ACCESSORY GEAR AND VALVE TRAIN CONTINUITY ESTABLISHED. NO ENGINE OR SYSTEM DISCREPANCIES WERE REPORTED BY THE INSPECTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7S-2013-06-28), registration cancelled 2013-06-28, S/N 1, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCREYNOLDS CASSUTT III (CASSUTT II)
- Registry model: [Mcreynolds CASSUTT III](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcreynolds-cassutt-iii) (registry code 19704PA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 617
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James B. Baldwin
- Registered owner: James Baldwin & David Ehrlich
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: 0Q9, SONOMA, CA
- Destination: 0Q9

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,240 total, 45 in this make and model, 4,740 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19930419009669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930419009669A), Apr 19, 1993: Amtrsx CASSUTT3, Napa, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit. Tried land on road. Overshot. Impacted in a field. No engine problems found.

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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