# NTSB LAX91FA086: Piper PA-24-180, N7194P, Dunsmuir, CA, January 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1991, 12:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Dunsmuir, CA
- Coordinates: 41.189376, -122.26062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1894&lon=-122.2606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA086

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND ATTEMPT AND IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DEGRADATION OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION FROM SAND AND RUST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO-AROUND ABOUT 300 YARDS PAST THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND AS IF IT WS PRODUCING FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE TOP AND CRASHED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED BY SAND AND RUST. THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION. THE AIRPLANE HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 14 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AMOUNT OF POWER AVAILABLE COULD NOT BE QUANTIFIED OR VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7194P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7194P-1994-03-17), registration cancelled 1994-03-17, S/N 242364 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2364
- Airframe hours: 1659
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Richard F. Renton
- Registered owner: Richard F. Renton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1990, 14 hours before
- Departed: 085, REDDING, CA
- Airport: 106, Dunsmuir, runway 32, 2,700 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 368 total, 8 in this make and model, 309 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD, 45 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 19910130001299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910130001299A), Jan 30, 1991: Piper PA24, Dunsmuir, CA, Destroyed. Began go around after touchdown struck tree off end runway. Beleived lacked power due carb heat on. Dirt in fuel.

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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