# NTSB LAX88LA183: Piper PA-38-112, N23415, Reedley, CA, May 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1988, 11:22 local (18:22 UTC)
- Place: Reedley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.649276, -119.400695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6493&lon=-119.4007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 800 FEET AGL AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ENGINE THEN 'QUIT AND RESTART(ED)' SEVERAL TIMES. HE SAID THAT INSUFFICIENT POWER WAS AVAILABLE TO REMAIN AIRBORNE AND HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN A TREE COVERED FIELD NEAR THE AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED THAT EACH FUEL TANK HAD ABOUT 6 GALLONS OF FUEL. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE TEMPERATURE AT FRESNO, CA, WHICH IS LOCATED ABOUT 15 MILES WEST NORTHWEST OF REEDLEY, CA, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 67 DEGREES AND THE DEW POINT WAS 48 DEGREES. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23415 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0099
- Airframe hours: 1617
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kenner, James A.
- Registered owner: Kenner, James A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 1988, 17 hours before
- Departed: O32
- Destination: Q60, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: 032, Reedley Muni., runway 33, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,253 total, 600 in this make and model, 3,693 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19880516047879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880516047879A), May 16, 1988: Piper PA38112, Reedley, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine quit on climbout. Struck trees landing in rough field no malfunction or system failure found.

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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