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NTSB Report
January 21, 1991 · Piper PA 32-300 · N1885H
Anaheim, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Anaheim, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA 32-300
Tail Number
N1885H
Operator
Ameriflight
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA085
AFTER INSTALLING SPARK PLUGS WITH HEAT RANGES COLDER THAN SPECIFIED BY THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER AND ADJUSTING THE LEFT MAGNETO 10 DEGREES BEFORE ITS SPECIFIED ADJUSTMENT THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED FOR FLIGHT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF FOR HIS NON SCHEDULED PART 135 FLIGHT. ENROUTE THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A DRY LAKE BED. THE LANDING SURFACE WAS TOO SHORT AND THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM A STEEP BANK.
NTSB Probable Cause
MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL IN THAT THEY IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED THE LEFT MAGNETO WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE EROSION OF THE ELECTRODES FROM SIX OF THE TWELVE INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS. THE INSTALLATION OF SPARK PLUGS WITH COLDER HEAT RANGES THAN SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND RISING TERRAIN AHEAD OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE FORCED LANDING WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
AFTER INSTALLING SPARK PLUGS WITH HEAT RANGES COLDER THAN SPECIFIED BY THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER AND ADJUSTING THE LEFT MAGNETO 10 DEGREES BEFORE ITS SPECIFIED ADJUSTMENT THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED FOR FLIGHT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF FOR HIS NON SCHEDULED PART 135 FLIGHT. ENROUTE THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A DRY LAKE BED. THE LANDING SURFACE WAS TOO SHORT AND THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM A STEEP BANK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:58 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA 32-300
Tail NumberN1885H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmeriflight
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0540 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC