Amateur-built JP-350-1 accident near Torrance, California, June 28, 1990
On June 28, 1990 at about 11:18 pm local time, a amateur-built JP-350-1, registered N350JP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Torrance, California (Torrance Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE AIRCRAFT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND AFTER THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE THRUST DUE TO PROPELLER OVERSPEED CONDITION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE PROPELLER HUB THAT ALLOWED THE OVERSPEED TO OCCUR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 1990 · about 11:18 pm local time
- Place
- Torrance, California · Torrance Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built JP-350-1
- Registration
- N350JP · registry record · serial 88350-1
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT SERVICED THE PROPELLER HUB WITH 120 PSI PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. AFTER TAKEOFF HE LOST CONTROL OF THE PROPELLER AND THE ENGINE LOST THRUST. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION. THE PROPELLER BLADES HAD BEEN SHORTENED AND THE PROPELLER OVERSPEED OCCURRED BECASUE THE BLADES WERE NOT COUNTERWEIGHTED. HARTZELL STATED THE 120 PSI CHARGE IN THE HUB WAS INSUFFICIENT TO COUNTERACT THE AERODYNAMIC TWISTING MOMENTS AND PREVENT THE OVERSPEED.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 36 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 62 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming L-1174-61 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29R, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:18 pm from TOA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.