# NTSB LAX04CA173: Piper PA34-200, N74SA, La Verne, CA, March 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 31, 2004, 12:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: La Verne, CA - Coordinates: 34.091388, -117.781669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0914&lon=-117.7817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58983 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58983/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA173 ## Probable cause the CFI 's failure to correctly reconfigure the right engine fuel selector, resulting in a total loss of power to that engine. Also causal was the CFI's failure to maintain direction control of the airplane and an adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane stalling and colliding with terrain. A factor in the accident was the CFI's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - 1 engine - loss,total (cause) - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - fuel supply - restricted, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain while the pilot was attempting a go-around during a multiengine training flight. The certified flight instructor (CFI) turned the right engine fuel selector to the "off" position, in an effort to simulate an engine failure. The student followed the proper procedure by correctly identifying the failed engine and flew the airplane accordingly. On short final, about 100 feet above ground level, the airplane was high and not properly aligned with the runway. The CFI opted to make a go-around, and the student inputted full throttle on both engines. The student was unable to maintain airspeed and establish a positive rate of climb. The CFI communicated that he would take over the controls, and attempted to continue the go-around. The airplane would not climb and drifted to the right, across another runway. The airplane continued in a gradual decent, and the stall warning horn sounded. The right wing impacted terrain, and the airplane spun around on the ground. The CFI stated that he had become distracted, and did not remember to turn the fuel selector back to the "on" position after the student had identified the failed engine. He thought this was the reason that the right engine did not respond to the throttle input during the go-around. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 31 2004, about 1255 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N74SA, collided with terrain while attempting a go-around at Brackett Field Airport, La Verne, California. Air Desert Pacific was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight originated from La Verne about 1150. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the CFI reported that he was overseeing the student's landing attempt on runway 26R. While inbound, about 4,000 feet mean sea level, the CFI turned the right engine fuel selector to the "off" position, in an effort to simulate an engine failure. The student followed the proper procedure by correctly identifying the failed engine and positioning the left throttle, mixture, and propeller controls in their full forward position, and the right throttle control in the idle position. While on the downwind portion of the traffic pattern, the air traffic control tower cleared them to land on runway 26L. On final approach, the student configured the airplane with full flaps and the landing gear in the extended position. On short final, about 100 feet above ground level, the airplane was high and not properly aligned with the runway. The CFI opted to make a go-around, and the student inputted full throttle on both engines. The student was unable to maintain airspeed and establish a positive rate of climb. The CFI communicated that he would take over the controls, and attempted to continue the go-around. The airplane would not climb and drifted to the right, across runway 26R. The airplane continued in a gradual decent, and the stall warning horn sounded. The right wing impacted terrain, and the airplane spun around on the ground. The CFI stated that he had become distracted, and did not remember to turn the fuel selector back to the "on" position after the student had identified the failed engine while inbound. He thought this was the reason that the right engine did not respond to the throttle input during the go-around. He added that it was possible that he could not maintain directional control of the airplane because the student may have failed to relinquish the controls. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74SA-2004-11-19), registration cancelled 2004-11-19, S/N 347250336, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7250336 - Engines: Lycoming 10/LIO-360 reciprocating; Lycoming 10/LIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Desert Pacific - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KPOC, La Verne, CA - Destination: KPOC, La Verne, CA - Airport: KPOC, Brackett Field Airport, runway 26L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 620 total, 22 in this make and model, 142 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 223 total, 3 in this make and model, 56 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040331004509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040331004509A), Mar 31, 2004: Piper PA34200, La Verne, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 03/31/04 Mr. Geoffrey fleming, while giving flight instruction in N74SA, forgot to turn the right fuel selector from off to on while simulating a… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.