# NTSB LAX93LA267: Ryan ST-A, N14987, Fresno, CA, June 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1993, 12:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.640861, -119.909629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6409&lon=-119.9096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA267

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, THE HIGH RUNWAY VEGETATION, AND THE LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER AND LANDED ON AN ABANDONED AIRSTRIP.  THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, EXITED THE HARD SURFACE RUNWAY, AND NOSED OVER.  THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING POWERPLANT, BRAKING, AND STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.  THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14987](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14987), registered now, S/N 124 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN ST-A
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st-a) (registry code 7830402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 124
- Airframe hours: 1396
- Engines: MENASCO D4-87 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richards, John F & Sally B.
- Registered owner: Richards, John F & Sally B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1992, 35 hours before
- Airport: Abandoned, runway 35, 1,500 × 40 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,058 total, 181 in this make and model, 1,956 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19930626020449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020449A), Jun 26, 1993: Ryan STA, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Reported engine problem. Ran off side of unmowed strip on precautiony landing. Nosed over. No engine defects 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.