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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 30, 1991 · Piper PA-24-180 · N7194P

Dunsmuir, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 30, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Dunsmuir, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-180
Tail Number
N7194P
Operator
Richard F Renton
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA086

THE PRIVATE PILOT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND ABOUT 300 YARDS PAST THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND AS IF IT WS PRODUCING FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE TOP AND CRASHED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED BY SAND AND RUST. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION. THE AIRPLANE HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 14 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AMOUNT OF POWER AVAILABLE COULD NOT BE QUANTIFIED OR VERIFIED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND ATTEMPT AND IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DEGRADATION OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION FROM SAND AND RUST.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE PILOT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND ABOUT 300 YARDS PAST THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND AS IF IT WS PRODUCING FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE TOP AND CRASHED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED BY SAND AND RUST. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION. THE AIRPLANE HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 14 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AMOUNT OF POWER AVAILABLE COULD NOT BE QUANTIFIED OR VERIFIED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:05 PST
Nearest AirportDUNSMUIR (1nm WNW)
Runway32
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-180
Tail NumberN7194P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRichard F Renton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data