# NTSB LAX90FA229: Piper PA-24-260, N9302P, Corona, CA, June 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1990, 18:55 local (Jun 24, 1990, 01:55 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: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA229

## Probable cause

SABOTAGE WHEREIN UNKNOWN PERSON(S) PUT SAND IN THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - sabotage - intentional, unknown (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD ARRIVED AT LAKE HAVASU ON THE EVENING PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT, AND WHEN HE TIED DOWN THE AIRPLANE ALL OF THE FUEL TANK DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE NEXT DAY, WHEN PREFLIGHTING THE AIRPLANE FOR HIS FLIGHT TO TORRANCE, HE NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT AUX FUEL TANK DOOR WAS OPEN. WHILE ENROUTE TO TORRANCE, AND USING THE AUX FUEL TANK, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. EMERG PROCEDURES TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE TO NO AVAIL AND THE PLT LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD. A CUPFUL OF SAND WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT AUXILIARY FUEL TANK, AND SAND CONTAMINATES WERE ALSO FOUND IN THE RIGHT AUXILIARY FUEL TANK PORT. SOME OF THE INJECTOR NOZZLES WERE PLUGGED WITH AN UNIDENTIFIED SUBSTANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9302P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9302P-1993-05-13), registration cancelled 1993-05-13, S/N 244798 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4798
- Airframe hours: 2171
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Thalmann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: LHU, LAKE HAVASU, AZ
- Destination: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: L66, Corona

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 301 total, 103 in this make and model, 197 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19900623023779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623023779A), Jun 23, 1990: Piper PA24260, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power n approach to airport. Right aux fuel cap left open overnight using same. Had only sand in tank.

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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