History of Flight
On March 5, 2015, about 1422 Pacific standard time, a Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR, registration N53178, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO), Santa Monica, California. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from SMO about 1421.
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff and about 1,100 ft mean sea level, the engine lost power. He maintained 85 mph and initiated a left turn back toward the airport but realized the airplane could not reach the runway. The airplane struck the top of a tree about 65 ft tall and then impacted the ground in an open area of a golf course.
Multiple witnesses reported hearing the engine quit and observing the airplane gliding before striking the tree and descending.
Pilot Information
The pilot, age 72, held a private pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including single-engine land, and a third-class medical certificate issued May 23, 2014, with a corrective lenses limitation. He reported 5,200 total flight hours, with 55.3 hours in the preceding 90 days and 17.7 hours in the preceding 30 days. He had logged over 75 hours in the accident make and model.
Aircraft Information
The two-seat, low-wing monoplane, serial number 1859, was manufactured in 1942. It was powered by a Kinner R-55 engine (serial number 07450) rated at 160 horsepower, equipped with a fixed-pitch propeller. The airplane was flown solo from the rear seat. The most recent annual inspection was completed on March 13, 2014.
The airplane was equipped with shoulder harnesses for both seats, but no logbook entries or documentation were found detailing their installation. Examination showed the shoulder harness attach bolt had pulled through the seat back structure without reinforcement.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest upright about 800 ft southwest of the approach end of runway 03. The first point of contact was a tree top; ground scars were about 25 ft long. The fuselage rested on a heading of 44 degrees magnetic, about 150 ft from the tree. Wings and engine remained partially attached. Flight control continuity was established except for the right aileron cable.
Engine Examination
The engine exhibited impact damage. The carburetor (Holley 419) was separated; examination revealed the main metering jet was unscrewed from its seat, rotated 90 degrees, with rounded threads. No gasket or thread locking compound was observed in the jet housing. The postaccident examination found no evidence of a mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
Toxicology tests detected morphine and ondansetron, consistent with medications administered during postaccident treatment. No ethanol or other prohibited substances were found.
Communications
According to FAA recordings, the pilot requested departure from runway 21 for left closed traffic at 1419. About one minute after takeoff, he reported an engine failure and requested immediate return. The controller cleared him for runway 03 and issued wind information. No further transmissions were received after 1422.