# NTSB LAX88FA135: Piper PA-28-181, N26022, Torrance, CA, March 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1988, 05:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.79961, -118.349365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7996&lon=-118.3494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA135

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT WHEN ENTERING CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING THE PRE-TAKEOFF ENGINE CHECKS, WHICH INCLUDED AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT, THE PILOT TOOKOFF INTO WEATHER THAT WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. THE PILOT SAID HE FAILED TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INTO A FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE TEMP WAS 60 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE DEW POINT WAS 54 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26022](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26022-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 288690004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288690004
- Airframe hours: 1196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peninsula Aviation Company
- Registered owner: South Bay Research Co Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1988
- Departed: TOR, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: IOA, Torrance Muni., runway 29L, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 9 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 19880327008689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880327008689A), Mar 27, 1988: Piper PA28181, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. Engine sputtered and quit on takeoff. Turned back but hit trees. No defects found. Conditions good for carb icing.

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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