# NTSB LAX97LA122: Columbia XJ-7, N48RW, Camp Pendelton, CA, March 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 1997, 16:25 local (Mar 13, 1997, 00:25 UTC) - Place: Camp Pendelton, CA - Coordinates: 33.390369, -117.439491 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3904&lon=-117.4395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29742/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA122 ## Probable cause loss of engine power due to an undetermined cause or causes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot experienced a partial engine failure about 20 minutes after takeoff and made an off airport emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft encountered a ditch and nosed over onto its back. An inspection of the aircraft revealed throttle movement in the cockpit did not produce corresponding movement of the butterfly valve in the carburetor throat. The carburetor is designed, however, to automatically go to 80 percent power in the event of a mechanical throttle linkage separation. This was the first flight after an annual safety condition inspection. A review of the aircraft logbooks did not reveal any discrepancies. A final attempt by the operator to diagnose the cause of the engine failure was unsuccessful. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 1997, at 1625 hours Pacific standard time, a Columbia XJ-7, N48RW, collided with soft terrain and nosed over while attempting an off airport forced landing at Camp Pendelton, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the pilot and mechanic were not injured. The aircraft was being operated as a maintenance test flight by R. W. Martin, Inc., when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Carlsbad, California, at 1605. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that he experienced a partial engine failure about 20 minutes after takeoff. He notified McClellan-Palomar tower that he was making a forced landing near Las Pulgas Road, west of Interstate 5. After touching down in an open grassy area, the hull dug into rain-softened terrain and the aircraft nosed over onto its back. The accident site was located within a restricted area of Camp Pendelton Marine Base at 33 degrees 18 minutes north latitude by 117 degrees 28 minutes west longitude. This was the aircraft's first flight after an annual safety condition inspection. An inspection of the aircraft by FAA inspectors revealed throttle movement in the cockpit did not produce corresponding movement of the butterfly valve in the carburetor throat. The throttle linkage did not show evidence of impact damage. The operator reported that the carburetor is designed to automatically go to 80 percent power in the event there is a mechanical separation in the throttle linkage. A review of the aircraft logbooks did not reveal any discrepancies. A final attempt by the operator to diagnose the cause of the engine failure was unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48RW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48RW), registered now, S/N 31399, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Columbia XJ-7 - Registry model: [Columbia XJL](https://openairdocs.org/model/columbia-xjl) (registry code 2320102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright C9HD series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c9hd-series) (registry code 67028, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31399 - Airframe hours: 156 - Engines: Curtis Wright 1820-86 1425 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: R. W. Martin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, March 10, 1997 - Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,000 total, 12,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CRQ, 16 nm away ## 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 19970313003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970313003059A), Mar 13, 1997: Board COLUMBIAXJL1, Camp Pendelton, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Hull dug in soft ground landing. Nosed over. Throttle auto disconnect failed to go to auto fuel flow. 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.