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LAX90DVD01

1990-08-09 · HAYWARD, California, United States · Serious · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport HWD

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

ABSENCE OF A OIL SYSTEM FITTING CAP.

Factual narrative

PILOT OF THE RESTORED MILITARY OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT EXPEREINCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE WIRE AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL WITH BURNING ENGINE OIL THAT FILLED THE CABIN WITH SMOKE. A STEEL 'AN' FITTING CAP USED TO SHUT OFF THE FLOW OF ENGINE OIL FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN WAS MISSING. A MAJOR ENGINE OVERHAUL WAS ACCOMPLISHED ABOUT 25 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1990_LAX90DVD01.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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