# NTSB LAX85FA137: Piper PA-24-250, N8898, Corona, CA, February 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1985, 15:30 local (23:30 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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24470/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA137

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER REFUELING, THE ACFT TOOK OFF & LOST PWR AT 150 FT TO 200 FT AGL. THE ACFT STRUCK TREES WHILE IN A STEEPENING LEFT BANK & CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO THE ARPT. NO CONTAMINANTS OR WATER WERE FOUND EITHER IN THE ACFT'S FUEL SYSTEM OR IN THE FUEL SOURCE. CONTINUITY WAS ASCERTAINED FOR FLIGHT CONTROLS, THE ENGINE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CARBURETOR WAS FRACTURED. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT TANK BUT AN IMPRINT OF THE POINTER WAS FOUND IN THE 'OFF' POSITION. THE PLT HAD NO MEMORY BEYOND REFUELING. TESTS CONDUCTED IN A SIMILAR ACFT WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE 'OFF' POSITION WERE INCONCLUSIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8898](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8898-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 24-3171, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3171
- Airframe hours: 1612
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A4C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alan & Joan Strickfaden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: Corona Muni, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,602 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19850209002909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850209002909A), Feb 9, 1985: Piper STCPA24, Corona, CA, Destroyed. Lost power during initial climb. Struck trees trying to turn back to runway. Fuel selector may have been on off.

## Other investigations on N8898 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI77FER04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FER04), Jul 4, 1977: Piper PA-24 (N8898), Superior, WI, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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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