# NTSB LAX91FA116: Piper PA-28R-200, N5290T, Monterey Park, CA, March 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1991, 18:55 local (Mar 3, 1991, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Monterey Park, CA
- Coordinates: 34.050605, -118.14048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0506&lon=-118.1405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26983/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA116

## Probable cause

SUICIDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - suicide - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT UNEXPLAINABLY QUIT WORK AND LEFT HOME TEN DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  SEVEN DAYS LATER THE PILOT RETURNED HOME AND LEFT A SUICIDE NOTE.  ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT POLICE OFFICERS QUESTIONED THE PILOT AND HE STATED HE LEFT THE SUICIDE NOTE TO GET REVENGE ON HIS WIFE.  THE OFFICERS DID NOT DETAIN THE PILOT. THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT IN HIS AIRPLANE AND FLEW FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES.  WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE CIRCLED THE AREA AND EXECUTED AT LEAST ONE DIVING, PULL UP MANEUVER.  AFTER COMPLETING THAT MANEUVER THE AIRPLANE ENTERED INTO A STRAIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE.  THERE WAS NO FIRE.  THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL WHILE CIRCLING THE AREA.  DURING THE DESCENT THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED TO A HIGH PITCHED WHINE UNTIL IMPACT.  THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WHICH WOULD HAVE RENDERED THE AIRPLANE INCAPABLE OF OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5290T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5290T-1991-06-17), registration cancelled 1991-06-17, S/N 28R7235217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7235217
- Airframe hours: 3179
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gunnell Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Alexiadis/Miltiadis/Athanasia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 1990, 55 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 110 total, 110 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19910302003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910302003839A), Mar 2, 1991: Piper PA28R200, Monterey Park, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off from airport,flew over residential area,did loop and 3 steep turns. Crashed into houses.

## Other investigations on N5290T (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC76FCJ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCJ22), Jan 18, 1976: Piper PA-28R (N5290T), Brule, NE, substantial damage

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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