Convair L-13A accident near Hayward, California, August 9, 1990
On August 9, 1990 at about 5:50 pm local time, a Convair L-13A, registered N13NH, was destroyed in an accident near Hayward, California (Hayward airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
ABSENCE OF A OIL SYSTEM FITTING CAP.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 1990 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Hayward, California · Hayward · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Convair L-13A
- Registration
- N13NH · no longer on the register · serial 47-276
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,025 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 7,692 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 9, 1990; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin O-425-9 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LVK Livermore CA at 5:35 pm
- Destination: OAK Oakland CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from HWD, 2 miles away
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.