# NTSB LAX89LA171: Piper PA-22, N840A, Truckee, CA, April 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1989, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Coordinates: 38.350364, -121.420051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3504&lon=-121.4201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA171

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF FUEL LINES BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHO INSTALLED THE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A CONVERSION ENG HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE ACFT. THE PLT SAID THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE INITIAL GROUND RUNUP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE ENG LOST ALL POWER. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND GET THE ACFT BACK ON THE AIRPORT BUT THE LANDING WAS HARD. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION INDICATED FUEL LINES FROM THE FUEL PUMP IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N840A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N840A-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 22-140 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-140
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Steve Wandt
- Registered owner: Waudt, Steven & Peggy Hine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TRK
- Airport: TRK, Tucker-Tahoe, runway 10, 6,400 × 110 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 259 total, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19890424009899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890424009899A), Apr 24, 1989: Piper STCPA22, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Turned back but landed hard on runway causing substantial damage. Fuel lines were reversed

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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