# NTSB LAX91LA304: Piper PA24-250, N8142P, Temple Bar, AZ, July 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1991, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Temple Bar, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.020011, -114.290596 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0200&lon=-114.2906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA304
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA304

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING AN ATTEMPTED RETURN TO RUNWAY MANEUVER AND THE ENTRY INTO AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE.  THE EXACT NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT IS UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

A PILOT WITNESS ON THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT TAXIED OUT TO RUNWAY 18 AND DEPARTED. THE WITNESS SAID THE AIRCRAFT'S TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL SEEMED NORMAL AND THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED AT ABOUT THE TWO THIRDS POINT ON THE RUNWAY. HE SAID THE INITIAL CLIMB APPEARED TO BE NORMAL AND HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO COMPLETING THE PRE-TAKEOFF CHECKS ON HIS AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE HEARD THE PILOT TRANSMIT ON THE RADIO THAT 'I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM.' THE WITNESS SAID HE LOOKED UP AND SAW THE AIRCRAFT AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL IN THE CLIMB THEN IT SEEMED TO STALL WITH A SUDDEN ROLLING BREAK TO THE LEFT, ENTER A LEFT HAND SPIN AND IMPACT THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8142P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8142P-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 24-3395, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3395
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack G. Preuss
- Registered owner: Jack G. Preuss
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: IGM, KINGMAN, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 480 total, 195 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19910710026989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910710026989A), Jul 10, 1991: Piper PA24250, Temple Bar, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Reported problem on climbout. Stalled and crashed. No locking pins in seat track. Seat pin bent. Belt not fastened

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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