# NTSB LAX90LA026: Piper PA-38, N2506A, Chino, CA, November 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1989, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Chino, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000854, -117.679542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0009&lon=-117.6795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA026

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.  SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER BEGINNING AN ILS APCH, A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF ENG POWER OCCURRED.  SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD, WHERE THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON SOFT TERRAIN.  THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2506A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2506A-1992-02-24), registration cancelled 1992-02-24, S/N 3878A0721 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3878A0721
- Airframe hours: 2560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sunland Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 1989
- Departed: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 638 total, 43 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 254 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °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 19891107044689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891107044689A), Nov 7, 1989: Piper PA38112, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. Rough engine, elected to land in farm field due to engine and poor visibility. Nosed over in soft ground.

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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