# NTSB LAX91FA005: Piper PA-28-235, N8876W, Redlands, CA, October 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1990, 17:25 local (Oct 10, 1990, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000648, -117.11985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0006&lon=-117.1198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA005

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF A FUEL SYSTEM LEAK OF AN UNDETERMINED ORIGIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - maintenance - performed, pilot in command
  - fuel system - leak (cause)
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Fire, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - engine compartment - fire
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

AS THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN THE REAR SEAT PAX OBSERVED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THEN ALL ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST, AND THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE VISIBILITY INSIDE THE AIRPLANE BECAME NEARLY ZERO, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASH-LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. WITHIN SECONDS IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FIRE. NUMEROUS TOOLS, A MAGNETO HARNESS KIT, BRAKE ANVIL, AND TWO SMALL SECTIONS OF HOSES WERE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE, AS WELL AS AN ENGINE MAINTENANCE/REPAIR TEXT BOOK. ONE OF THE HOSES WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS A FUEL LINE HOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8876W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8876W-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 28-10433, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10433
- Airframe hours: 3435
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William A. Fike
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1990
- Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Airport: L12, Redlands Muni, runway 26, 4,500 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 5 nm away

## 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 19901009044429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901009044429A), Oct 9, 1990: Piper PA28235, Redlands, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Fire smoke in flight. Crashed burned short of runway. No determination of source or origin of fire could be made.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.