# NTSB LAX84FA046: Piper PA38-112, N2556D, Corona, CA, November 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1983, 16:25 local (Nov 5, 1983, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - contamination (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING AN OFF RWY BUT ON ARPT FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED THE ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WAS TESTING THE ACFT. AT 150 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT LANDED ON ROUGH TERRAIN ABOUT1/4 MILE WEST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED MINOR FOREIGN CONTAMINATES IN BOTH FUEL TANKS. THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE CARBURETOR INLET UNION DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FUEL. FUEL HOWEVER WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR BOWL. THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP FILTER CONTAINED EXTENSIVE FOREIGN CONTAMINATES. THE CARBURETOR AND FUEL PUMP WERE BENCH TESTED AND THE CARBURETOR BOWL FLOODED AT AN INPUT PRESSURE OF 3.8 # PSI. AT 5# PSI THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE BOWL SHOULD BE ABOUT 1/2 INCH FROM THE BOWL TOP WHEN THE FLOAT SHUTS OFF THE FUEL. THE FLOAT ASSEMBLY DID NOT SUBMERGE WHEN PLACED IN FUEL. THE FLOAT LEVEL WAS SET AT 8/32 INCH. THE SERVICE LIMIT IS 7/32 INCH. ACCORDING TO A TESTING TECHNICIAN THE FAILURE OF THE FLOAT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE FLOAT VALVE SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2556D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2556D-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 38-79A0371, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0371
- Airframe hours: 1350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Omni Aviation
- Registered owner: Kenneth I. Crowder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1983, 1 hours before
- Airport: L66, Corona Municipal, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 2 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 5 nm away

## 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 19831104057839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831104057839A), Nov 4, 1983: Piper PA38112, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Crash landed off end of runway. Magneto lead shorted out. Low compression #3 cylinder

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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