# NTSB LAX92LA020: Piper PA28-161, N8092A, Chandler, AZ, October 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1991, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.239097, -111.779685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2391&lon=-111.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA020

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION PRODUCED BY EXHAUST VALVES STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA AND A SIGN ADJACENT TO THE LANDING AREA.

## 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, takeoff
  - single engine aircraft
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - open (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS DEPARTING THE AIRPORT ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL.  THE PILOT SELECTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA ON A ROAD AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. DUE TO POWER LINES ACROSS THE INTENDED LANDING AREA, THE PILOT SELECTED A ROAD PARALLELING AN IRRIGATION DITCH.  AFTER CLEARING THE POWER LINES, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE ROAD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A SIGN, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO SWERVE INTO THE IRRIGATION DITCH. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT TWO CYLINDERS HAD LITTLE OR NO COMPRESSION.  BOTH CYLINDERS HAD VALVES STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8092A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8092A-1994-01-03), registration cancelled 1994-01-03, S/N 288016080 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016080
- Airframe hours: 4732
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-036 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 18, 1991, 42 hours before
- Airport: P10, Chandler, runway 22, 4,395 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 30 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19911020047199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911020047199A), Oct 20, 1991: Piper PA28161, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Crash landed off airport. Found two cylinders had exhaust valves stuck open.

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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