# NTSB LAX91DUM01: Piper PA28-140, N6147J, El Cajon, CA, October 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1990, 14:07 local (21:07 UTC)
- Place: El Cajon, CA
- Coordinates: 32.789642, -116.959953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7896&lon=-116.9600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91DUM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91DUM01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN ENGINE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## 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)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS IN A CLOSED TRAFFIC PATTERN. AFTER TAKEOFF, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE PITCH UP DURING A TURN TO THE LEFT THEN PITCH DOWN AND DESCEND INTO THE GROUND. OTHER WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE SPUTTER PRIOR TO THE NOSE PITCH UP. MOST WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE AIRCRAFT STALLING DURING THE TURN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6147J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6147J-2007-07-23), registration cancelled 2007-07-23, S/N 28-7625223, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7625223
- Airframe hours: 5562
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: National Air College, doing business as National Air College
- Registered owner: National Air College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 15, 1990, 18 hours before
- Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27L, 2,737 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE

## 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 19901011045129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901011045129A), Oct 11, 1990: Piper PA28140, El Cajon, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness heard engine quit on climbout. Stalled trying to turn back to runway. No cause power loss given.

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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