NTSB CAROL · Event
Event LAX90DVD01
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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