Cessna 320D accident near Van Nuys, California, May 18, 1986
On May 18, 1986, a Cessna 320D, registered N320SD, was destroyed in an accident near Van Nuys, California (Van Nuys airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 6 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 18, 1986
- Place
- Van Nuys, California · Van Nuys · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 6 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 320D · all 320Ds on the register
- Registration
- N320SD · registry record · serial 320D0068
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT WAS RETURNING FROM A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ON A LOW DOWNWIND LEG AND MADE TWO SUDDEN STEEP TURNS, ONE TO THE EAST FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN STEEP TURN TO THE NORTH PRIOR TO A NOSE DOWN IMPACT INTO THE GROUND. THE WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING OR HEARING NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE CRASH. ONE WITNESS STATED THE AIRCRAFT STALLED DURING THE LAST TURN. A REVIEW OF THE RECORDED CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE PILOT AND THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER DID NOT REVEAL ANY UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES DURING THE LANDING APPROACH.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 618 hours in all; 76 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 450 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,733 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 10, 1986; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MOJ Mojave CA at 11:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34L, 8,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.