# NTSB LAX84FA164: Piper PA-38-112, N91522, Fullerton, CA, February 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1984, 17:04 local (Feb 4, 1984, 01:04 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8860° N, 117.9753° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8860&lon=-117.9753&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, dual student (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A GO AROUND FOLLOWING A LONG POWER-OFF GLIDE DURING WHICH CARBURETOR HEAT WAS NOT USED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT CULTIVATED FIELD THE ACFT NOSE WHEEL' DUG IN' AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE WEATHERREPORT INDICATED CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS. THE CFI DID NOT OBTAIN A FORMAL WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N91522 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-82A0086
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: General Aviation Company
- Registered owner: Dennnis & Linda Finegan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 24, 3,120 × 75 ft, asphalt

## 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: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,484 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,330 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FUL

## 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 19840203003179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840203003179A), Feb 3, 1984: Piper PA38112, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout form a touch and go. Landed in muddy field off airport. Conditions right for carb icing.

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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