# NTSB SEA87LA188: Mercer OWL Racer 65-2, N5JG, Reno, NV, September 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1987, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.709743, -119.820693 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7097&lon=-119.8207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, other
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DRG A PRACTICE FLT IN A FORMULA ONE RACER BFR THE RENO AIR RACES, THE ENG LOST PWR AFTER 4 LAPS WHEN THE ACFT WAS AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 40' AGL. THE PLT MANEUVERED TO LND ON A RWY IN WINDS THAT WERE VARIABLE & GUSTY. A WITNESS RPRTD THE PLT MADE AN ABRUPT LEFT TURN, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LND, THEN THE ACFT 'APPEARED TO STALL, SNAP ROLL TO THE RIGHT AND DIVE VERTICALLY INTO THE GROUND.'   NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND DRG AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE. THE FUEL & OIL TANKS RUPTURED DRG IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF STAIN OR ODOR WAS NOTED & THE FUEL TANK WAS DRY; HOWEVER, 1 PERSON RPRTD HE WITNESSED THE 'DIP STICKING' OF THE FUEL TANK BFR THE ACDNT & SAID FUEL WAS AT THE 3/4 LVL. THE PLT HAD 3 YRS EXPERIENCE OF FLYING FORMULA ONE RACERS. ON THE ACDNT FLT HE WAS CHECKING A NEWLY INSTALLED ENG. ON THE DAY BFR THE ACDNT, HE MADE A DEAD-STICK LNDG AT THE SAME ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5JG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5JG-1991-02-04), registration cancelled 1991-02-04, S/N JM1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MERCER OWL RACER 65-2 (OWL RACER)
- Registry model: [Mercer OWL RACER](https://openairdocs.org/model/mercer-owl-racer) (registry code 0562142) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JM-1
- Airframe hours: 121
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Jefferey Sawyer & Co.
- Registered owner: Denton, Harvey D
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 1, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: 4SD
- Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 32, 8,080 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,000 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 12 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 19870915053009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870915053009A), Sep 15, 1987: Amtrvd OWLRACER, Reno, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit. Stalled,snap rolled and hit ground on downwind to base leg. Fuel exhaustion. Air race practice flight.

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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