# NTSB LAX91LA166: Piper PA-28-140, N5206T, Carefree, AZ, April 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1991, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Carefree, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.820674, -111.899452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8207&lon=-111.8995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA166

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI), AN INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS BEING CHECKED OUT IN THE AIRPLANE BY THE CFI. AFTER PERFORMING SEVERAL MANEUVERS, THE CFI RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND INSTRUCTED THE PRIVATE PILOT TO EXECUTE A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE SELECTED LANDING AREA, THE PRIVATE PILOT OBSERVED POWER LINES AND BEGAN TO APPLY POWER TO GO AROUND. THE CFI YELLED TO THE PRIVATE PILOT TO GO UNDER THE POWER LINES AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CONTROLS AND NOSED THE AIRPLANE DOWN. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE POWER LINES AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5206T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5206T-1992-02-10), registration cancelled 1992-02-10, S/N 287225351 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225351
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fuller Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Frederick & Mary Jane Bell
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 311 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910408009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910408009379A), Apr 8, 1991: Piper PA28140, Carefree, AZ, Destroyed. Practice forced landing,saw wires on approach. Engine failed respond. CFI tried takeover go under but hit wires.

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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