# NTSB LAX92LA308: Piper PA-22-150, N3406Z, Tucson, AZ, July 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1992, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.150016, -110.930366 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1500&lon=-110.9304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA308

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER DESCENT RATE.  THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN CONDITIONS IN THE AREA OF THE FORCED LANDING WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT IN TUCSON, ARIZONA, AND REFUELING THE AIRCRAFT TO ITS 36 GALLON CAPACITY, THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON HIS FINAL LEG HOME. HE WAS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 6000 FEET MSL APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING AT PINAL AIRPARK, ARIZONA, LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 31 MILES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF TUCSON, BUT COLLIDED WITH THE ROUGH TERRAIN ABOUT 350 YARDS SHORT OF RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO FAA INSPECTORS NO OBVIOUS FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS IN THE ENGINE WERE NOTED DURING THEIR ON SCENE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3406Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3406Z-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 22-7318, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-7318
- Airframe hours: 2231
- Engines: LYCOMING O-350-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nerguizian, Berj
- Registered owner: Nerguizian, Berj
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1992, 16 hours before
- Departed: TUS
- Destination: UDD, BERMUDA DUNES, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Observed at: TUS, 31 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 19920719025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920719025959A), Jul 19, 1992: Piper PA22150, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Tried for pennel airport but landed short reported problem with mixture.FAA report no defects.

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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