# NTSB LAX89FA032: Piper PA-28R-200, N9467N, Anaheim, CA, November 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1988, 13:14 local (21:14 UTC)
- Place: Anaheim, CA
- Coordinates: 33.849246, -117.790565 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8492&lon=-117.7906&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 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil quickdrain/drain plug - unapproved part (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - overspeed
  - powerplant - seized
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - disregarded, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - uphill

## Analysis

FIVE MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE AND DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLIGHT, THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR NOTICED A PROP OVERSPEED. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED BACK ON THE PROP CONTROL TO REDUCE ENGINE R.P.M. AND INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT, A PRIVATE PILOT, TO DIVERT TO THE AIRPLANE'S HOME BASE. TWO MINUTES AFTER THE OVERSPEED THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED' FOR 5 SECONDS AND SEIZED. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING ON A HILLSIDE. THE AIRPLANE BRUSHED SMALL BRANCHES AT THE TOP OF A TREE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'USED ALL THE AIRSPEED TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING SPOT', AND COULD NOT FLARE THE AIRPLANE TO CUSHION THE LANDING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF AN OIL EXHAUSTION. THE OIL QUICK DRAIN WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE OPEN AND LOCKED POSITION. AN EXAMINATION OF RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE DRAIN WAS THE INCORRECT PART. THERE WAS AN AD CONCERNING THE INCORRECT OIL DRAIN BEING OPENED BY CONTACT WITH THE LNDG GEAR DURING RETRACTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9467N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9467N-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N 28R35183 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35183
- Airframe hours: 6025
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Marine Corps
- Registered owner: U.S. Marine Corps.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 6, 1988, 51 hours before
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,300 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 212 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 13 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 19881103049059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881103049059A), Nov 3, 1988: Piper PA28R200, Anaheim, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Prop overspeed and engine seized. Crash landed. Improper engine oil quick drain opened by gear retract drained oil.

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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