# NTSB LAX92LA083: Piper PA-28R-200, N2638R, Altadena, CA, January 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1992, 13:38 local (21:38 UTC)
- Place: Altadena, CA
- Coordinates: 34.200057, -118.130241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2001&lon=-118.1302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA083

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY SELECTING AN EMPTY TANK. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY WITHOUT HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF A PREVIOUS LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

A PIPER PA 28R-200, COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER SUSTAINING A LOSS OF ENG POWER.  THE AIRPLANE LOST ENG POWER WHILE FLYING ABOUT 700 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND LEVEL.  THE PLT THEN SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND THE AIRPLANE REGAINED ENG POWER.  THE ENG LOST POWER AGAIN AND THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK WIRES DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, AND THEN STRUCK A TRUCK INJURING THE DRIVER.  THE PLT INDICATED HE COMPLETED HIS PREFLIGHT CHECKS BEFORE TAKEOFF AND NOTED THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT TANK, BUT ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE LEFT FUEL TANK HAD ABOUT 15 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING.  THE RIGHT WING WAS SEVERED AND THE RIGHT FUEL TANK RUPTURED.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SWITCHED TANKS BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL SPILL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.  AN ENG EXAM AND OPERATION TEST WAS CONDUCTED.  THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED.  ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ENG QUIT DURING A FLIGHT AND WAS RESTARTED.  THE PLT DID NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INITIAL ENG FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2638R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2638R-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 28R-35237, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35237
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cook, John D.
- Registered owner: Cook, John D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 824 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMT, 10 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 19920106001879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920106001879A), Jan 6, 1992: Piper PA28R200, Altadena, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Struck wires and a truck landing on a highway. Right tank empty, full in left. Engine test ok

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.