# NTSB LAX92LA312: Piper PA-28R-201T, N3074F, Las Vegas, NV, July 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1992, 11:52 local (18:52 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.080745, -115.140396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0807&lon=-115.1404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA312

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO SAFETY THE ENGINE OIL DRAIN PLUG AND THE POOR ENGINE OVERHAUL.  FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT ARE: OIL STARVATION; THE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING RODS; THE INCORRECT CONNECTING ROD BOLTS; AND THE CONNECTING ROD BOLTS UNDERTORQUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,oil - starvation (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil quickdrain/drain plug - not safetied (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil quickdrain/drain plug - separation (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - undertorqued (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - poor, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A VISUAL PERSONAL FLIGHT. HE RECEIVED VECTORS TO RUNWAY 19 FINAL APPROACH COURSE AND WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD, THE PILOT APPLIED ADDITIONAL THROTTLE. THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY RESPONDED AND THEN CONTINUED TO MISS.  THE PILOT HEARD A MUFFLED EXPLOSION AND OBSERVED A VERY SMALL PUFF OF WHITE/BLUE SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COWLING.  THE ENGINE QUIT WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES FROM THE THRESHOLD AT 2,500 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO NEGOTIATE THE AIRPORT AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN VACANT LOT. THE AIRPLANE BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER IT CAME TO REST. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED THAT DURING THE RECENT TOP OVERHAUL THE MECHANICS INSTALLED THE WRONG CONNECTING ROD BOLTS THAT WERE IMPROPERLY TORQUED.  THE OIL DRAIN PLUG CAME LOOSE WHILE IN FLIGHT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUSTAIN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.  THE MECHANICS FAILED TO SAFETY THE OIL DRAIN PLUG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3074F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3074F-1993-01-21), registration cancelled 1993-01-21, S/N 28R7918013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7918013
- Airframe hours: 3430
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Derobertis, John & Patricia
- Registered owner: Derobertis, John & Patricia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1992, 17 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 930 total, 752 in this make and model, 887 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19920722026789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920722026789A), Jul 22, 1992: Piper PA28R201T, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Lost power on approach. Landed in empty lot. Oil drain plug in bottom of cow not safetied. Recent engine overhaul.

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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