# NTSB LAX87LA132: Piper PA-28-160, N5466W, Redlands, CA, March 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1987, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 33.999481, -117.120361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9995&lon=-117.1204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA132

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 8500 FT MSL TO 4000 FT MSL WITH POWER REDUCED TO 2000 RPM. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT USE THE CARBURETOR HEAT WHILE DESCENDING. WHEN PWR WAS ADDED, THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE TEMP WAS 66 DEGS F AND DEW POINT WAS 37 DEGS F. FROM THE FAA CARBURETOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART, THE ACFT WAS OPERATING IN A SERIOUS ICING AT GLIDE POWER RANGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5466W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5466W-1990-08-14), registration cancelled 1990-08-14, S/N 28547 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-547
- Airframe hours: 2771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vincent J. Mazzella
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: MHV, MOJAVO, CA
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Airport: L12, Redlands

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 160 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 4 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 19870301003869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870301003869A), Mar 1, 1987: Piper PA28160, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a ditch during a forced landing. The engine lost power due to pilot failure to use carb heat.

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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