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January 6, 1992 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N2638R

Altadena, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 6, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Altadena, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N2638R
Operator
Cook John D
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX92LA083

A PIPER PA 28R-200, COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER SUSTAINING A LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE AIRPLANE LOST ENG POWER WHILE FLYING ABOUT 700 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND LEVEL. THE PLT THEN SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND THE AIRPLANE REGAINED ENG POWER. THE ENG LOST POWER AGAIN AND THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK WIRES DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, AND THEN STRUCK A TRUCK INJURING THE DRIVER. THE PLT INDICATED HE COMPLETED HIS PREFLIGHT CHECKS BEFORE TAKEOFF AND NOTED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT TANK, BUT ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE LEFT FUEL TANK HAD ABOUT 15 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. THE RIGHT WING WAS SEVERED AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK RUPTURED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SWITCHED TANKS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL SPILL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. AN ENG EXAM AND OPERATION TEST WAS CONDUCTED. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ENG QUIT DURING A FLIGHT AND WAS RESTARTED. THE PLT DID NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INITIAL ENG FAILURE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY SELECTING AN EMPTY TANK. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY WITHOUT HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF A PREVIOUS LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Full Narrative

A PIPER PA 28R-200, COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER SUSTAINING A LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE AIRPLANE LOST ENG POWER WHILE FLYING ABOUT 700 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND LEVEL. THE PLT THEN SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND THE AIRPLANE REGAINED ENG POWER. THE ENG LOST POWER AGAIN AND THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK WIRES DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, AND THEN STRUCK A TRUCK INJURING THE DRIVER. THE PLT INDICATED HE COMPLETED HIS PREFLIGHT CHECKS BEFORE TAKEOFF AND NOTED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT TANK, BUT ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE LEFT FUEL TANK HAD ABOUT 15 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING. THE RIGHT WING WAS SEVERED AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK RUPTURED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SWITCHED TANKS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL SPILL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. AN ENG EXAM AND OPERATION TEST WAS CONDUCTED. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ENG QUIT DURING A FLIGHT AND WAS RESTARTED. THE PLT DID NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INITIAL ENG FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:38 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN2638R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCook John D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data