NTSB CAROL · Event
Event LAX90DUD01
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE WEARING AWAY OF THE PISTON PIN PLUG, CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS, AND THE BREAKAGE OF THE CONNECTING ROD AT THE LOWER END. CONTRIBUTING TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FORCED LANDING INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA AS THE ONLY LANDING SITE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.
Factual narrative
THE ENGINE ON THE AIRCRAFT FAILED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT ABOUT 10 MILES EAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND HIS GLIDE AND WAS FORCED TO LAND INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA COLLIDING WITH SEVERAL HOMES. THE PISTON PIN PLUG IN ONE CYLINDER HAD WORN AWAY DAMAGING THE PISTON. THE CONNECTING RODS HAD THEIR BEARINGS WORN AWAY AND ONE CONNECTING ROD WAS FOUND BROKEN AT THE LOWER END. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1989_LAX90DUD01.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
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