# NTSB LAX91LA085: Piper PA 32-300, N1885H, Anaheim, CA, January 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1991, 08:58 local (16:58 UTC)
- Place: Anaheim, CA
- Location: 33.8353° N, 117.9145° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Anaheim, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8353&lon=-117.9145&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27103/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA085

## Probable cause

MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL IN THAT THEY IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED THE LEFT MAGNETO WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE EROSION OF THE ELECTRODES FROM SIX OF THE TWELVE INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS. THE INSTALLATION OF SPARK PLUGS WITH COLDER HEAT RANGES THAN SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND RISING TERRAIN AHEAD OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE FORCED LANDING 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(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - ignition system,magneto - other (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - delamination (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER INSTALLING SPARK PLUGS WITH HEAT RANGES COLDER THAN SPECIFIED BY THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER AND ADJUSTING THE LEFT MAGNETO 10 DEGREES BEFORE ITS SPECIFIED ADJUSTMENT THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED FOR FLIGHT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF FOR HIS NON SCHEDULED PART 135 FLIGHT.  ENROUTE THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DESCEND.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A DRY LAKE BED.  THE LANDING SURFACE WAS TOO SHORT AND THE LEFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM A STEEP BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1885H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1885H-1991-10-04), registration cancelled 1991-10-04, S/N 32R7780197 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780197
- Engines: LYCOMING I0540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ameriflight
- Registered owner: Ameriflight
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 13, 1991, 19 hours before
- Departed: ONT, ONTARIO, CA
- Destination: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,930 total, 320 in this make and model, 2,740 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Observed at: FUL, 8 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 19910121003189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910121003189A), Jan 21, 1991: Piper PA32R300, Anaheim, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Gear collapsed on forced landing. Igniter electrodes eroded from incorrect mag timing. Low compression.

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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