# NTSB LAX91LA221: Piper PA-28-161, N9135T, San Jose, CA, May 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1991, 13:08 local (20:08 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Location: 37.3329° N, 121.8198° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at REID-HILLVIEW OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY (RHV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3329&lon=-121.8198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA221

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed(vref) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 200' ABOVE GROUND LEVEL OVER THE RUNWAY'S DEPARTURE END, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE SUFFERED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT PERFORMED NECESSARY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.  HE ENTERED A POWER-OFF FORCED LANDING DESCENT AND MADE A RIGHT TURN TO THE BEST AVAILABLE LANDING AREA.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, BOUNCED, AND COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR, SEPARATING THE LEFT WING FROM THE FUSELAGE.  AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT ON-SCENE.  HE DRAINED APPROXIMATELY 1/4 PINT OF FUEL OUT OF THE INTACT RIGHT WING.  THE LEFT HAD CONSIDERABLY MORE FUEL AND HAD LOST FUEL DURING IMPACT.  THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRCRAFT FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.  THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN AT VARIOUS POWER SETTINGS WITH NO PROBLEM.  THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND HIS STUDENT PILOT IN ORAL AND WRITTEN STATEMENTS, DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CHANGED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO THE LEFT TANK DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9135T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9135T-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 28-8616012, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288616012
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Country Club
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 31, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 608 total, 45 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 222 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910520016609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910520016609A), May 20, 1991: Piper PA28161, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout,turned back but struck a hangar on forced landing. Indicates ran a tank dry. Did not switch

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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