# NTSB LAX91FA045: Piper PA-28R-201, N31638, Show Low, AZ, November 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1990, 13:38 local (20:38 UTC)
- Place: Show Low, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.2294, -110.070709 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2294&lon=-110.0707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, DUE TO INDUCTION SYSTEM ICING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION AND LACK OF A SUITABLE AREA FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT AND HIS WIFE WERE ATTEMPTING TO FLY NON-STOP FROM ALBUQUERQUE, NM, TO RAMONA, CA. THEY DEPARTED ALBUQUERQUE AT 1035 AND ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS, STRONG HEADWINDS, AND ICING CONDITIONS. IN AN EFFORT AT AVOIDING THE CLOUDS, THE PILOT CLIMBED TO 14,000 FEET. STILL IN CLOUDS WITH A GROUND SPEED OF 72 KNOTS, THE PILOT DESCENDED TO 12,000 FEET AND ELECTED TO LAND SHORT OF HIS PLANNED DESTINATION. WHILE DIVERTING TO SHOW LOW, AZ, IN FREEZING RAIN/SNOW CONDITIONS, THE FUEL INJECTED ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND LOST POWER AT ABOUT 1327. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A WOODED AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE ELT ACTIVATED AND THE SERIOUSLY INJURED WIFE AS RESCUED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31638](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31638-1991-04-04), registration cancelled 1991-04-04, S/N 28R7837240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7837240
- Airframe hours: 1942
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. Moon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1990, 64 hours before
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUEROUE, NM
- Destination: L39, RAMONA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,003 total, 400 in this make and model, 894 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 37 knots, gusting 47
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SOW, 11 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 19901126051989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901126051989A), Nov 26, 1990: Piper PA28R201, Show Low, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Induction system icing caused power loss. Descended into trees. Weather advisory for severe icing and turbulence.

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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