# NTSB LAX88FA060: Piper PA-46, N4369V, Long Beach, CA, November 30, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 1987, 18:43 local (Nov 30, 1987, 02:43 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.829414, -118.180068 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8294&lon=-118.1801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 2, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 25795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA060 ## Probable cause PILOT'S FAILURE TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT AFTER EXPERIENCING THE PILOT'S FAULTY DECISION WAS HIS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH A GEAR UP LANDING A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,partial - exhaust system,turbocharger - disengaged (contributing factor) - engine installation,mounting bolt - separation (contributing factor) - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,inspection - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - emergency - electrical system,electric wiring - burned (contributing factor) - electrical system,alternator - disabled - hydraulic system,accumulator - low level (cause) - landing gear,gear indicating system - false indication - low pass - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - Fire, go-around (vfr) - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - separation - go-around - performed, pilot in command(cfi) - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - fluid,oil - starvation (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - light condition - night - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT TO SAN JOSE AND SUBSEQUENT DESCENT AND APPROACH TO THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT, THE TWO PILOTS EXPERIENCED, IN SUCCESSION, A FAILURE OF THE TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM, LOSS OF AN ALTERNATOR, LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE, AN UNSAFE LANDING GEAR INDICATION, AND AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A NIGHT TIME CIRCLING APPROACH TO AN UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ONTO THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF THE SAN DIEGO FREEWAY AT LONG BEACH AFTER MAKING A FLYBY OF THE TOWER TO CONFIRM THE LANDING GEAR POSITION. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TURBOCHARGER, A CRACKED MANIFOLD EXHAUST, A BURNED MAIN POWER LEAD, A SEPARATED CYLINDER, AND A LOW FLUID LEVEL IN THE HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR. TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT MADE AN UNINTENTIONAL GEAR UP LANDING IN ANOTHER ACFT. ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE FAA REVOKED THE MECHANIC'S INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4369V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4369V-1991-09-03), registration cancelled 1991-09-03, S/N 468408076 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46 - Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-8408076 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-520-BE1 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Million Air - Registered owner: Lawrence J & Sandra M Hoffart - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1987 - Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA - Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 30, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,782 total, 237 in this make and model, 4,656 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LGB, 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 19871129068489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871129068489A), Nov 29, 1987: Piper PA46310P, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates turbocharger came loose. Exhaust gasses caused fire. Lost oil and other items. 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.