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NTSB Report
August 13, 1991 · Piper PA-23-250 · N4553P
Hawthorne, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N4553P
Operator
Gdw Construction
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91FA355
THE CFI TURNED OFF THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT ENGINE FUEL SELECTOR TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB-OUT FROM THE AIRPORT. AFTER THE DUAL STUDENT PERFORMED THE ENGINE-OUT EMERG CHECKLIST, WHICH INCLUDED FEATHERING THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER, THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE DUAL STUDENT TO RE-ENTER THE RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN UNFEATHERING PROPELLER SYSTEM. THE DUAL STUDENT OVERSHOT THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE WHEN THE CFI NOTED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWN LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS AND EXECUTED A SINGLE ENGINE GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLIMB AND THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND ON A STREET. THE AIRPLANE COLLLIDED WITH A SIGN AND A PICKUP TRUCK BEFORE COMING TO REST.
NTSB Probable Cause
OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRPLANE'S ABILITY AND HIS PERSONAL ABILITY BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI), BY INTENTIONALLY SHUTTING OFF FUEL TO AN ENGINE DURING A CRITICAL PART OF FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT'S LACK OF SINGLE ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Full Narrative
THE CFI TURNED OFF THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT ENGINE FUEL SELECTOR TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB-OUT FROM THE AIRPORT. AFTER THE DUAL STUDENT PERFORMED THE ENGINE-OUT EMERG CHECKLIST, WHICH INCLUDED FEATHERING THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER, THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE DUAL STUDENT TO RE-ENTER THE RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN UNFEATHERING PROPELLER SYSTEM. THE DUAL STUDENT OVERSHOT THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE WHEN THE CFI NOTED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWN LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS AND EXECUTED A SINGLE ENGINE GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLIMB AND THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND ON A STREET. THE AIRPLANE COLLLIDED WITH A SIGN AND A PICKUP TRUCK BEFORE COMING TO REST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:49 PDT
Nearest AirportHawthorne Muni (25nm ENE)
Runway7
Runway Length4956 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN4553P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGdw Construction
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourceWFAC