Ryan NAVION accident near San Diego, California, August 27, 1990
On August 27, 1990 at about 8:02 pm local time, a Ryan NAVION, registered N4220K, was substantially damaged in an accident near San Diego, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY BLOCKAGE OF FUEL INLET SCREEN BY PIECE OF IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FUEL HOSE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 1990 · about 8:02 pm local time
- Place
- San Diego, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan NAVION · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N4220K · no longer on the register · serial 1220
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FREEWAY GUARDRAIL DURING THE FORCED LANDING. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED A BLOCKAGE IN THE FUEL INLET SCREEN. THE BLOCKAGE WAS IDENTIFIED AS A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE INTERLINER. RECORDS INDICATE THE FUEL HOSE WAS FABRICATED AND INSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 19, 1990, AT ABOUT 38 TACH HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. RECORDS ALSO INDICATE THE ENGINE WAS MAJOR OVERHAULED ON DECEMBER 12, 1989, AT WHICH TIME ALL FUEL, OIL AND HYDRAULIC HOSES WERE REPLACED.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 902 hours in all; 800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E185 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA at 8:02 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.