# NTSB LAX92LA200: Piper PA23-150, N2310B, Modesto, CA, May 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1992, 21:15 local (May 5, 1992, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Modesto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.629909, -120.969886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6299&lon=-120.9699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27616/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA200

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 50 TO 100 FEET AGL IN THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB WHEN THE LEFT ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THE PILOT CORRECTED FOR THE YAW CONDITION AND HAD JUST RESTABILIZED THE AIRCRAFT WHEN THE LEFT ENGINE SURGED INTO LIFE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT AND IT IMPACTED GEAR UP IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE IN A GRASSY AREA BETWEEN THE RUNWAYS. FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING ON AN AUTOMOTIVE FUEL SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE. A QUANTITY OF WATER AND RUST COLORED SEDIMENT WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT FUEL TANK SUMP. NO OTHER SYSTEM ABNORMALITIES WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2310B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2310B-1998-05-12), registration cancelled 1998-05-12, S/N 2310 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA23-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-10
- Airframe hours: 4136
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Rowlett
- Registered owner: John D. Rowlett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1991, 20 hours before
- Destination: Q68, GROVELAND, CA
- Airport: MOD, Modesto, runway 28, 5,911 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,995 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 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 19920504032799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920504032799A), May 4, 1992: Piper PA23, Modesto, CA, Substantial damage. Left engine quit on initial climbout. Restarted but elected land gear up on airport. Water rust in auto fuel.

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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