# NTSB LAX89LA213: Piper PA-22-160, N8836D, El Cajon, CA, June 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 21:10 local (Jun 19, 1989, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: El Cajon, CA
- Coordinates: 32.790424, -116.959304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7904&lon=-116.9593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA213

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE & INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN THE UNDETECTION OF CONTAMINATED FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF AT AN ALTITUDE ESTIMATED AS 200-300' AGL. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD IN A FIELD ADJACENT TO THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE AND MINOR INJURIES TO ITS OCCUPANTS. A POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF VISIBLE SEDIMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY ONCE FRESH FUEL WAS ADDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8836D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8836D-1992-04-07), registration cancelled 1992-04-07, S/N 226006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6006
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lloyd Nissley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1988, 31 hours before
- Destination: NYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: SEE, Gillespie Fld.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,551 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,430 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19890618016199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618016199A), Jun 18, 1989: Piper PA22160, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed on climbout. Crash landed. Found dirt in fuel system. No wing quick drains.

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.