# NTSB LAX87LA292: Piper PA-34-200T, N477BL, El Monte, CA, August 4, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1987, 10:33 local (17:33 UTC) - Place: El Monte, CA - Coordinates: 34.079971, -118.029983 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0800&lon=-118.0300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 25657 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25657/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA292 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr) - 2 engines - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - fuel system,selector/valve - switched off - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis AN INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS GIVING AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PLT (ATP) A CHECK-OUT IN THE PA-34. THE ATP CHECKED THE FUEL QUANTITY & QUESTIONED THE CFI ABOUT THE LVL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE CFI ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT FULL. THE ATP STATED THE FUEL GAUGES INDCD 30 GAL IN THE LEFT TANK & 25 GAL IN THE RGT TANK. DRG THE FLT, THE CFI SHUT DOWN THE LEFT ENG BY PSNG THE LEFT FUEL SELECTOR TO OFF & MOVING THE RGT FUEL SELECTOR TO THE X-FEED PSN. AS THE FLT CONTD (ON A VOR APCH), THE RGT ENG LOST PWR. BOTH FUEL SELECTORS WERE PSND TO ON, BUT NEITHER ENG RESTARTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT LANDED ABOUT 1/2 MI SHORT OF THE RWY, HIT A FENCE & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS ABOUT 1.5 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK & APRX 42 GAL IN THE RGT TANK. FAA PSNL RPRTD THE PLT LACKED KNOWLEDGE OF EMERG PROCEDURES CONTAINED IN THE PLT OPERG HANDBOOK. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N477BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N477BL-1992-05-05), registration cancelled 1992-05-05, S/N 347870292 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 347870292 - Airframe hours: 1066 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: California Aviation - Registered owner: Robert Milne - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 2, 1987, 37 hours before - Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA - Airport: EMT, El Monte, runway 19, 3,995 × 75 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,020 total, 44 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 254 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EMT, 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 19870804047379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870804047379A), Aug 4, 1987: Piper PA34200T, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. CFI failed left engine by fuel off and put right engine on crossfeed failing both engines because left tank empty. ## Other investigations on N477BL (1) 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 LAX83LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA062), Dec 31, 1982: Piper PA-34-200T (N477BL), Prescott, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.