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NTSB Report
March 7, 1993 · Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30 · N2221G
Big Bear City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 1993
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (2 fatalities, 4 serious injuries)
Location
Big Bear City, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N2221G
Operator
California Wings
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX93FA141
DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS HEARD TO REDUCE POWER AT MID-FIELD, THEN FULL POWER WAS APPLIED. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 6 FT, SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RWY, CLIMBED AGAIN TO 6 FT, SETTLED AGAIN, THEN CONTINUED ITS TAKEOFF ROLL USING MOST OF THE 5,850-FT RWY UNTIL REACHING THE ARPT PERIMETER FENCE. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 20 FT AGL, THEN SETTLED INTO A HOUSE. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 7,800 FT. ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO-TO-ENGINE TIMING WAS OFF, THE MAGNETO INTERNAL TIMING WAS OFF ON BOTH SETS OF POINTS, AND BOTH POINT GAPS WERE OFF. IN ADDITION, 5 OF THE 12 SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE WORN ELECTRODES. ONE SPARK PLUG WAS NOT APPROVED FOR THE ENGINE. A 100-HR INSPECTION HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON 2/2/93, ABOUT 17 FLIGHT-HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
A PARTIAL LOSS OF TAKEOFF POWER DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION WHICH FAILED TO DETECT MAGNETO AND SPARK PLUG DEFICIENCIES. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT FAILED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AFTER TWO UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO GET AIRBORNE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF PILOTING EXPERIENCE.
Full Narrative
DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS HEARD TO REDUCE POWER AT MID-FIELD, THEN FULL POWER WAS APPLIED. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 6 FT, SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RWY, CLIMBED AGAIN TO 6 FT, SETTLED AGAIN, THEN CONTINUED ITS TAKEOFF ROLL USING MOST OF THE 5,850-FT RWY UNTIL REACHING THE ARPT PERIMETER FENCE. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 20 FT AGL, THEN SETTLED INTO A HOUSE. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 7,800 FT. ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO-TO-ENGINE TIMING WAS OFF, THE MAGNETO INTERNAL TIMING WAS OFF ON BOTH SETS OF POINTS, AND BOTH POINT GAPS WERE OFF. IN ADDITION, 5 OF THE 12 SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE WORN ELECTRODES. ONE SPARK PLUG WAS NOT APPROVED FOR THE ENGINE. A 100-HR INSPECTION HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON 2/2/93, ABOUT 17 FLIGHT-HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:02 PST
Nearest AirportBig Bear City (1nm ENE)
Runway8
Runway Length5850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN2221G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCalifornia Wings
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (2 fatalities, 4 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious4
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC