# NTSB LAX86LA001: Piper PA-32-300, N9AZ, Van Nuys, CA, October 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1985, 16:34 local (23:34 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Location: 34.1867° N, 118.4490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Nuys, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1867&lon=-118.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE CLIMBED TO 1800 FT MSL (APRX 1000 FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL) AND ENTERED A LEFT TURN. THE ENG FAILED IN THE TURN AN HE SELECTED A DRY FLOOD CONTROL BASIN ON WHICH TO LAND. THE ACFT'S AIRSPEED WAS SLOW ON LANDING AND THE TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD. THE HARD LANDING OVERSTRESSED THE AIRFRAME AND RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL ACFT DAMAGE. L ACFT DAMAGE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT FAILED TO DISCLOSED ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND FULL OF FUEL. THE LEFT AUX TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RIGHT AUX TANK CONTAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9AZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9AZ-1990-04-05), registration cancelled 1990-04-05, S/N 327540049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7540049
- Airframe hours: 682
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K15 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank W. Armellini
- Registered owner: Thomas C. Brewer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,846 total, 50 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 1 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 19851002052359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851002052359A), Oct 2, 1985: Piper PA32300, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Hard landing in flood control basin after engine quit. Both auxiliary fuel tanks empty. No mechanical defect found.

## Other investigations on N9AZ (2)

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 LAX770A001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX770A001), Oct 23, 1976: Piper PA-34 (N9AZ), Santa Clara, Mexico, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX75DUJ62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75DUJ62), Mar 24, 1975: Piper PA-32 (N9AZ), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage

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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