# NTSB LAX91FA232: Piper PA-23, N1237P, Maricopa, AZ, June 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1991, 18:40 local (Jun 1, 1991, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Maricopa, AZ
- Location: 33.0581° N, 112.0476° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Maricopa, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0581&lon=-112.0476&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA232

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES AND THE INADVERTENT STALL DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT/OWNERS LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT BY ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## 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, cruise
  - fuel system,primer system - unlocked
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - improper
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance - not performed, other person (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED IN A TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT AND WERE REPORTED OVERDUE. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED THE FOLLOWING DAY ABOUT 22 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS UNAIRWORTHY. THE LEFT ENGINE PRIMER WAS NOT LOCKED AND AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE WAS UTILIZED IN THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY SECURED THE ENGINES AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLERS. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND WITH LITTLE FORWARD SPEED, AT A HIGH VERTICAL DESCENT RATE, IN A NOSE DOWN AND NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OR A MULTIENGINE RATING. THE PILOT'S RECENCY OF EXPERIENCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING REVEALED THAT THE PILOT AND PASSENGER HAD ALCOHOL PRESENT IN THEIR BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1237P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1237P-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 23-258, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper U0-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-u0-1) (registry code 7102310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-258
- Airframe hours: 4526
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Tichy
- Registered owner: Robert Tichy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GEU, 22 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 19910531018439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910531018439A), May 31, 1991: Piper UO1, Maricopa, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Took off left engine smoke and popping. Crashed en route,auto fuel in tanks. Pilot no MEL or medical.

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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