# NTSB LAX90LA172: Piper PA-28-140, N6431W, Mesa, AZ, May 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1990, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430038, -111.709632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4300&lon=-111.7096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SAFE AIRSPEED AND INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING FUEL SUPPLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING AND MADE A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT UPON DEPARTURE, THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RIGHT TANK WAS 1/4 FULL. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY, THE PILOT OVER-SHOT HIS INTENDED LANDING POINT. THE PILOT THEN MADE A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE FIELD AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN SHORT OF THE INTENDED RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6431W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6431W-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N 2820501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20501
- Airframe hours: 3651
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. Beyer, III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1989
- Departed: P19, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22L, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 375 total, 353 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900512015659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900512015659A), May 12, 1990: Piper PA28140, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed. Low on fuel engine quit in right turn to runway but too high engine caught made right turn quit. Aircraft stalled.

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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