# NTSB LAX87FA337: Piper Aerostar 601P, N902RG, Corona, CA, September 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1987, 11:30 local (18:30 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: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA337

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS REFUELED BEFORE IT DEPT ON THE ACCD FLIGHT; THE PILOT DID NOT SUPERVISE THE FUELING. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT ADVISED THE ONTARIO DEPT CONTROLLER THAT BOTH ENGINES WERE EXPERIENCING A POWER LOSS AND THAT HE SUSPECTED JET FUEL CONTAMINATION. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A BERM DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LANDING. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FBO FUELED THE AIRPLANE WITH 131.3 GALS OF JET A FUEL. INVESTIGATORS DID NOT LOCATE ANY WITNESSES WHO SAW THE PLT PREFLT THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT SUSTAINED SEVERE HEAD INJURIES & COULD NOT RECALL IF HE HAD PREFLIGHTED THE AIRPLANE - THE RT FRONT SEAT PAX WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN THE PLT BOARDED THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect (cause)
  - refueling - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N902RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N902RG-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 61P06667963311 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 601P (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1295
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Cal Aero Aircraft Sales, Inc
- Registered owner: Reddington Investments Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1987, 15 hours before
- Departed: CNO
- Destination: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Airport: L66

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,634 total, 120 in this make and model, 4,634 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870914053179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870914053179A), Sep 14, 1987: Piper PA60601P, Corona, CA, Destroyed. Lost both engines en route. Crash landed. Untrained line person put jet a fuel in tanks. Causing engine destruction

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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