# NTSB LAX89LA247: Piper PA-22, N5925D, Placerville, CA, July 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1989, 18:45 local (Jul 26, 1989, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.729804, -120.799293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7298&lon=-120.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26452/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA247

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT THE LAST OVERHAUL WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE #3 MAIN BEARING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA FOR THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - seized
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE RPM DECAYED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE INSTRUCTOR FLEW TO THE ONLY AVAILABLE FIELD IN THE AREA BUT IT WAS ON THE SIDE OF A HILL. THE FIELD WAS ROUGH, UNEVEN AND COVERED WITH ROCKS. THE AIRPLANE WAS DEMOLISHED AND ALL THREE PEOPLE ON THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE CENTER MAIN BEARING HAD FAILED AND FRAGMENTS OF THE BEARING SEPARATED FROM THE BEARING BACKING, AND ROLLED UP BETWEEN THE BEARING AND CRANKSHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5925D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5925D-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N 22-4587, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4587
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Oscar & Marlys Cordoba
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: PVP
- Destination: PVP
- Airport: PVF, Placerville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,200 total, 8 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890725025249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890725025249A), Jul 25, 1989: Piper PA22150, Placerville, CA, Destroyed. Engine failed. Crash landed in rough rocky terrain. Crankshaft bearing seized stopping the crankshaft.

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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