# NTSB LAX84FA118: Piper PA28-235, N55665, Irwindale, CA, December 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1983, 15:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Irwindale, CA
- Coordinates: 34.090393, -117.959632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0904&lon=-117.9596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel tank selector position - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE FLT INSTR THE ENG LOST PWR AFTER THE STU HAD COMPLETD VAROUS TURNING MANEUVERS. HE STATED THAT THE FUEL SEL WAS IN THE LEFT MAIN POSITION AND ESTIMATED THAT THERE WERE 18 GALS IN THAT TANK, 25 GALS IN THE RIGHT TANK,5 GALS IN THE LEFT TIP TANK AND 1 GAL IN THE RIGHT TIP TANK. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE TIP TANKS HAD PURPOSELY NOT BEEN REFUELED RECENTLY BECAUSE THE OWNERS WANTED TO BURN OFF WHAT WAS LEFT IN THEM IN ORDER TO SERVICE THEM. DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING THE MAIN GEAR WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE TIP TANKS WERE RUPTURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55665](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55665), registered now, S/N 28-7310123, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7310123
- Airframe hours: 1339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John David Wolff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1983, 32 hours before
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,110 total, 28 in this make and model, 960 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMT, 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 19831228064929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831228064929A), Dec 28, 1983: Piper PA28235, Irwindale, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit for unknown reasons.

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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