# NTSB LAX93FA141: Piper PA-32RT-300, N2221G, Big Bear City, CA, March 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1993, 15:02 local (23:02 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear City, CA
- Coordinates: 34.259826, -116.840103 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2598&lon=-116.8401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA141

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL LOSS OF TAKEOFF POWER DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION WHICH FAILED TO DETECT MAGNETO AND SPARK PLUG DEFICIENCIES. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT FAILED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AFTER TWO UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO GET AIRBORNE. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF PILOTING EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - ignition system,magneto - incorrect (cause)
  - ignition system,ignition points - incorrect (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - worn (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS HEARD TO REDUCE POWER AT MID-FIELD, THEN FULL POWER WAS APPLIED. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 6 FT, SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RWY, CLIMBED AGAIN TO 6 FT, SETTLED AGAIN, THEN CONTINUED ITS TAKEOFF ROLL USING MOST OF THE 5,850-FT RWY UNTIL REACHING THE ARPT PERIMETER FENCE. IT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 20 FT AGL, THEN SETTLED INTO A HOUSE. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 7,800 FT. ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO-TO-ENGINE TIMING WAS OFF, THE MAGNETO INTERNAL TIMING WAS OFF ON BOTH SETS OF POINTS, AND BOTH POINT GAPS WERE OFF. IN ADDITION, 5 OF THE 12 SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE WORN ELECTRODES. ONE SPARK PLUG WAS NOT APPROVED FOR THE ENGINE. A 100-HR INSPECTION HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON 2/2/93, ABOUT 17 FLIGHT-HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2221G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2221G-1993-10-20), registration cancelled 1993-10-20, S/N 32R7985049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7985049
- Airframe hours: 3083
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: California Wings
- Registered owner: Efm Venture Group, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1993, 17 hours before
- Departed: L35
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 8, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 85 total, 7 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: L35, 1 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 19930307004519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930307004519A), Mar 7, 1993: Piper PA32RT300, Big Bear, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Appeared unsure to continue takeoff. Lifted nose high. Struck houses. Ignition system discrepancies noted.

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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