# NTSB LAX89LA252: Piper PA-28-180, N7341W, Corona, CA, July 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1989, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA252

## Probable cause

CONTINUED BUILDUP OF CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR SVRL YEARS AT AN ARPT THAT WAS BEING CLOSED. ITS LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS IN NOV 1986. BEFORE FERRYING THE ACFT TO A NEW LCTN, THE PLT DRAINED THE FUEL TANKS, PUMPED FUEL THRU THE LINES TO THE GASCOLATOR & SVCD IT WITH 22 GAL OF FRESH FUEL, BUT DID NOT OBTAIN A FERRY PERMIT. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER ABOUT 20 MIN OF FLT, THE ACFT ENCTRD TURBULENCE. HE REDUCED POWER TO 1800 RPM TO SLOW THE ACFT & BEGAN A DSCNT. WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED AGAIN, THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT SAID HE TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP, SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, NOTED THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS GOOD & CHECKED THE MAGNETOS (BUT HE DID NOT INDICATE THAT HE HAD TURNED ON THE CARB HEAT). SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT HIT TREES DRG AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PLT RPRTD THAT FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN THE ACFT & NO WATER OR CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 75 & 52 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO CARB ICING CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7341W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7341W-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 28-1212, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA28-1212
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert K. Landers
- Departed: L16, HUNTINGTON BCH, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 900 total, 640 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890730025749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890730025749A), Jul 30, 1989: Piper PA28180, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on ferry flight. Struck trees landing on golf course. Conditions favorable for carb icing.

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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