# NTSB LAX86LA319: Piper PA-28-140, N56189, Rancho Mirage, CA, August 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1986, 22:30 local (Aug 10, 1986, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: Rancho Mirage, CA
- Coordinates: 33.779453, -116.410942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7795&lon=-116.4109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA319

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - foreign object (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST POWER ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES AFTER TAKE-OFF AND A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND RUN. IT RAN ROUGH AND WOULD DEVELOP ONLY PARTIAL POWER. THE CARBURATOR WAS DISASSEMBLED AND A PIECE OF FABRIC WHICH MEASURED 1 AND 1/4 INCHES BY 3 INCHES WAS OBSERVED IN THE CARBURATOR VENTURI SECTION. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PIECE OF FABRIC, WHICH RESEMBLED ASBESTOS IN APPEARANCE AND TEXTURE HAD BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE FORWARD END OF THE CARBURATOR HEAT SHROUD WHERE IT HAD BEEN UTILIZED AS A SHIM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56189](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56189-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 28-7325587, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7325587
- Airframe hours: 2407
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. William Stinde
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986, 60 hours before
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: UDD, BERMUDA DUNES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,421 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,317 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP, 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 19860809038279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860809038279A), Aug 9, 1986: Piper PA28140, Rancho Mirage, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power en route. Landed beside road due to traffic. Foreign object used for shim blocked carb venturi.

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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