# NTSB LAX92LA309: Piper PA32-301T, N83211, Van Nuys, CA, July 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1992, 18:35 local (Jul 20, 1992, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.189487, -118.489257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1895&lon=-118.4893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA309

## Probable cause

AN ON GROUND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN SUBSEQUENT TO AN ENGINE FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND HE EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING TO THE RUNWAY.  IN ORDER TO NEGOTIATE THE AIRPORT THE PILOT ANGLED TOWARDS THE RUNWAY.  AFTER TOUCH DOWN THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY AND EXITED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR LIGHTS BEFORE STOPPING.  THE OPERATOR OPERATED THE ENGINE, SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT BUT COULD NOT RECALL IF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS PROPERLY SELECTED TO A FUEL TANK.  THE ACCIDENT WAS INITIALLY REPORTED AS AN INCIDENT.  FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES AND THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83211](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83211-1998-04-16), registration cancelled 1998-04-16, S/N 328124006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32-301T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8124006
- Airframe hours: 2227
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Feverhelm Transportation, Inc, doing business as West Winds Aviation
- Registered owner: Feverhelm Transportation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 8, 1991
- Departed: AVX, AVALON, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,050 total, 2 in this make and model, 918 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920719026049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920719026049A), Jul 19, 1992: Piper PA32301T, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power approaching airport. Landed accross runway striking runway lights. Cause power loss not determined.

## Other investigations on N83211 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA97FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97FA120), May 24, 1997: Piper PA-32-301T (N83211), Bend, OR, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: Overload of the airframe structure. Thunderstorms and turbulence were factors.

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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