Ryan ST3KR accident near Santa Maria, California, June 16, 1991
On June 16, 1991 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Ryan ST3KR, registered N46795, was substantially damaged in an accident near Santa Maria, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
OIL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY CONFIGURE THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE FLIGHT DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 1991 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Maria, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan ST3KR
- Registration
- N46795 · registry record · serial 1721
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON THE GROUND AT SANTA MARIA HE TURNED OFF THE OIL SUPPLY VALVE. DURING THE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION FOR THE TO FLIGHT SANTA PAULA HE SAID HE FORGOT TO TURN THE OIL SUPPLY VALVE BACK TO THE ON POSITION. ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF HE NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS READING ZERO AND THE ENGINE WAS STARTING TO RUN HOT. THE PILOT SAID HE FELT HE COULD NOT SAFELY RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A COUNTRY ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT, A WING TIP STRUCK A FENCE.
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, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 5,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,885 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Kinner R56 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMX Santa Maria CA at 10:45 pm
- Destination: SZP Santa Paula CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.