# NTSB LAX91FA355: Piper PA-23-250, N4553P, Hawthorne, CA, August 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1991, 12:49 local (19:49 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, CA
- Coordinates: 33.910423, -118.339538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9104&lon=-118.3395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA355
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA355

## Probable cause

OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRPLANE'S ABILITY AND HIS PERSONAL ABILITY BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI), BY INTENTIONALLY SHUTTING OFF FUEL TO AN ENGINE DURING A CRITICAL PART OF FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT'S LACK OF SINGLE ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - switched off
  - propeller feathering - performed
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - aircraft performance,engine out capability - inadequate
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE CFI TURNED OFF THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT ENGINE FUEL SELECTOR TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB-OUT FROM THE AIRPORT.  AFTER THE DUAL STUDENT PERFORMED THE ENGINE-OUT EMERG CHECKLIST, WHICH INCLUDED FEATHERING THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER, THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE DUAL STUDENT TO RE-ENTER THE RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN.  THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN UNFEATHERING PROPELLER SYSTEM.  THE DUAL STUDENT OVERSHOT THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE WHEN THE CFI NOTED THAT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DOWN LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS AND EXECUTED A SINGLE ENGINE GO-AROUND.  THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLIMB AND THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND ON A STREET.  THE AIRPLANE COLLLIDED WITH A SIGN AND A PICKUP TRUCK BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4553P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4553P-1996-07-05), registration cancelled 1996-07-05, S/N 2759 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-59
- Airframe hours: 5300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gdw Construction Company
- Registered owner: Gdw Construction Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: Hawthorne Muni, runway 7, 4,956 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,700 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HHR, 25 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 19910813034019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910813034019A), Aug 13, 1991: Piper PA23250, Hawthorne, CA, Substantial damage. CFI turned off fuel right engine for single approach,student overshot runway,could not climb,one engine. Crashed.

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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