# NTSB LAX95LA169: Ryan ST-3-KR, N214D, Apple Valley, CA, April 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1995, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.569301, -117.150154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5693&lon=-117.1502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA169

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, and entering into an inadvertent stall while flying close to the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SEVERAL GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLY OVERHEAD AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND PULL THE NOSE UP ABOUT 20 TO 30 DEGREES ABOVE THE HORIZON.  THE PILOT THEN STARTED A ROLL TO THE LEFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO STALL, ROLL INVERTED, AND CRASH INTO THE GROUND. BOTH WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE WHEN THE ROLL WAS INITIATED.

## Factual narrative

On April 22, 1995, at 1530 hours Pacific daylight time, a Ryan Aeronautical ST-3-KR (PT22), N214D, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with the terrain near Apple Valley, California, while on a local pleasure flight.  The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot received fatal injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

According to a pilot witness on the ground, the aircraft was at an altitude between 400 to 500 feet above ground flying in a westerly direction.  He noticed the aircraft nose down to build up airspeed, then start a climb at a 30-degree nose-up attitude.  The aircraft proceeded to roll to the left, but the airspeed was too slow.  The aircraft stalled while inverted and crashed nose first into the ground.  The engine was still running when the roll was initiated.

Another witness stated he knew the pilot and, when the aircraft was passing over his house at a slow airspeed, the pilot stuck out his right arm from the cockpit and rocked the wings.  A few seconds later the aircraft began to climb, but he did not hear an increase in engine power.  The left wing dropped rapidly and the aircraft rolled inverted into the ground.  He stated that the engine was running the entire time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N214D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N214D-1997-02-06), registration cancelled 1997-02-06, S/N 1820 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryan ST-3-KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1820
- Engines: KINNER R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William W. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 21 °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 19950422027979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950422027979A), Apr 22, 1995: Ryan ST3KR, Apple Valley, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Began a roll too low and too slow. Stalled while inverted and dived into ground.

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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