# NTSB LAX94LA063: North American SNJ-5, N89014, Santa Paula, CA, December 3, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 2, 1993, 16:15 local (Dec 3, 1993, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Santa Paula, CA - Coordinates: 34.399051, -119.070526 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3991&lon=-119.0705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28613 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28613/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA063 ## Probable cause was the failure of the needle valve pin assembly in the airplane's carburetor. A factor which contributed to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - fuel system,carburetor - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while cruising at 3,800 feet mean sea level he suddenly detected a 'very strong smell of aviation gasoline and the engine stopped running.' The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but was not successful. The pilot further reported that he did not have sufficient altitude to glide to any airport, so he made an emergency landing in a nearby river bed. During rollout, the airplane collided with vegetation. An examination of the engine revealed it had stopped as a result of being flooded with excessive fuel. The cause of the flooding related to the improper functioning of the carburetor's needle valve pin. ## Factual narrative On December 2, 1993, at 1615 Pacific standard time, a North American SNJ-5, N89014, operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight at 3,800 feet mean sea level. The pilot made a forced landing in a dry river bed about 2 miles east of Santa Paula, California. During rollout, the airplane collided with vegetation and was substantially damaged. Neither the certificated airline transport pilot nor passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight. The flight originated from Camarillo, California, on December 2, 1993, at 1545. The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that during the flight all systems appeared to operate normally, and the fuel and oil pressures were within normal operating limits. Suddenly, he detected a "very strong smell of aviation gasoline and the engine stopped running." The pilot stated that he attempted to restart the engine, but was not successful. The pilot further reported that he did not have sufficient altitude to glide to any airport, so he made an emergency landing in a nearby river bed. At the Safety Board's request, the airplane's carburetor was examined, and a written report was received from a Federal Aviation Administration certificated A & P mechanic. The mechanic indicated that the engine stoppage had resulted from it having been flooded with excessive fuel. The cause of the flooding related to the improper functioning of the carburetor's needle valve pin (see attached report for additional details). The carburetor was identified by the pilot as follows: Stromburg, model NAY 9E1; serial No. 5638362. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89014](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89014), registered now, S/N 84865, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5 - Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 84865 - Airframe hours: 8495 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: American Airpower Heritage - Registered owner: American Airpower Heritage - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1993, 57 hours before - Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 19,000 total, 110 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19931202045779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931202045779A), Dec 2, 1993: Namer SNJ5, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed in dry river bed. Carburetor needle valve malfunctioned. Flooded engine. 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.