# NTSB LAX87LA025: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2853X, Madera, CA, October 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1986, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.91053, -120.189659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9105&lon=-120.1897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOTS WERE PRACTICING A SIMULATED ENGINE OUT PROCEDURE. ENGINE POWER HAD BEEN REDUCED TO 15' OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. WHEN AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO ADD POWER AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 500 FT, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE INSTRUCTOR TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT DURING THE ATTEMPTED RESTART, THE 'HI' PUMP POSITION WAS SELECTED. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT MANUAL, 'ACTUATION OF THE HI FUEL PUMP POSITION, WHEN THE ENGINE IS OPERATING NORMALLY, MAY CAUSE ENGINE ROUGHNESS AND/OR POWER LOSS.'  NO PREIMPACT PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2853X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2853X-1989-06-08), registration cancelled 1989-06-08, S/N 28R7931226 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7931226
- Airframe hours: 1470
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Wilkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1986, 20 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 16,500 total, 25 in this make and model, 16,300 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 12 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 19861023050009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861023050009A), Oct 23, 1986: Piper PA28RT201T, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed during a practice forced landing. The instructor failed to select the proper fuel pump mode.

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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