# NTSB LAX89LA329: Piper PA-25-235, N4450Y, Warner Springs, CA, September 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1989, 14:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Warner Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.280261, -116.599868 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2803&lon=-116.5999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA329

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.  THE OBSTRUCTION (TREE) WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ESTIMATED THE ACFT HAD ABOUT 10 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE DEPARTED ON A GLIDER TOW FLIGHT. AFTER THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED, HE RETURNED TO THE ARPT FOR A LANDING. WHEN HE WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT TRIED TO GLIDE THE ACFT TO THE RWY; HOWEVER, BEFORE REACHING THE RWY, THE ACFT HIT A TREE & CRASHED. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4450Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4450Y-1992-11-25), registration cancelled 1992-11-25, S/N 254093 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4093
- Airframe hours: 5641
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Brett & Karen Willat
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: CL35
- Airport: CL35, Warner Springs, runway 26, 3,500 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 896 total, 3 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 174 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19890926036219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890926036219A), Sep 26, 1989: Piper PA25235, Warner Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Reported rough engine and partial power loss. Too low on final. Hit tree.

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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