# NTSB LAX82DA189: Piper PA-44-180, N2091K, Chandler, AZ, May 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1982, 00:57 local (07:57 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.320457, -111.869758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3205&lon=-111.8698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA189

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED CHANDLER, AZ WITH THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATING 40 PLUS GALLONS IN EACH TANK. AFTER A 1.2 HR FLIGHT TO LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ, THE GAUGES INDICATED 20 PLUS GALLONS IN EACH TANK. DURING THE RETURN TRIP TO CHANDLER AT NIGHT, BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER AFTER DESCENDING TO ENTER THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. AT THAT TIME, BOTH FUEL GAUGES INDICATED 10 GALLONS REMAINING IN EACH TANK. THE PILOT SAW THE LIGHTS OF A CAR AND TRIED TO LINE UP ON ITS TAIL LIGHTS TO LAND ON THE ROAD. HOWEVER, THE PLANE STRUCK A POWERLINE, HIT THE TOP OF A TREE, AND THEN IMPACTED ON A LAWN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO INDICATION OF FUEL REMAINING IN EITHER TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2091K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-79-9517
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Venture Aviation
- Registered owner: Ronald W. Gillespie
- Departed: LHU, LAKE HAVASU, AZ
- Destination: P1O, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: runway 4, 3,820 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 329 total, 17 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F

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.

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