# NTSB LAX91LA315: Piper PA32-300, N5233S, Corona, CA, July 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1991, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA315

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT'S STALL SPEED AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE, MAGNETO AND ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR, THE ROUGH TERRAIN CONDITIONS OVER WHICH THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMANDS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHEN THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE FAILED DURING A VISUAL APPROACH FOR LANDING THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT HE NEGLECTED TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT'S STALL SPEED. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN ROUGH TERRAIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE POWER PLANT AFTER THE ACCIDENT DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO IMPULSE COUPLING FLYWEIGHTS STRUCK THE STOP PINS. THE FLYWEIGHT-STOP PIN IMPACT SEIZED THE MAGNETO AND SHEARED THE ACCESSORY DRIVE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWEL. THIS FAILURE  RESULTED IN THE UNCOUPLING THE ACCESSORY DRIVE TRAIN AND THE ENGINE FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5233S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5233S-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 32-40929, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40929
- Airframe hours: 3138
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Darryl Rhodes & James Hanenber
- Registered owner: Darryl Rhodes & James Hanenber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1990, 58 hours before
- Departed: PSP, PALMS SPRINGS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 412 total, 40 in this make and model, 298 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAL, 55 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 19910717027739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910717027739A), Jul 17, 1991: Piper PA32300, Corona, CA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Engine quit at low altitude. Stalled and crashed. Magneto flyweight stop pin jammed coupling. Mag AD not complied.

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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