LAX90DUD01

1989-10-26 · W. LOS ANGELES, California, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SMO

Aircraft involved

N200EX Wheeler Acft. Co. EXPRESS 100 Minor

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. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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