# NTSB LAX93LA054: Piper PA-24, N6115P, Rialto, CA, November 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1992, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100894, -117.379158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1009&lon=-117.3792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. CONRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INADVERTENT STALL, THE PRECEDING SAND/DUST STORM, THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY LOW COMPRESSION DUE TO SAND IN THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - sand/dust storm (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly - low compression (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - foreign object (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - foreign object (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-24 LOST POWER AFTER TAKEOFF DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. DURING THE ENSUING EMERGENCY LANDING THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND LANDED HARD.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED SAND HAD ENTERED THE CYLINDERS PREVENTING THE VALVES AND RINGS TO SEAT PROPERLY.  THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR THIRTY DAYS.  DURING THE THIRTY DAY PERIOD THE AIRPLANE WAS PARKED INTO THE WIND WITHOUT THE COWLING BEING COVERED OR THE INLETS BEING PLUGGED. HIGH WINDS AND BLOWING SAND WERE NOTED ON TWO OCCASIONS DURING THE PERIOD.  THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6115P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6115P-1994-08-03), registration cancelled 1994-08-03, S/N 241215 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24 1215
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kinney, Elmer L.
- Registered owner: Kinney, Elmer L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: L67, Rialto Municipal, runway 35, 2,466 × 60 ft, dirt

## 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: 797 total, 16 in this make and model, 730 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 9 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 19921127048259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921127048259A), Nov 27, 1992: Piper PA24, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine idled on climbout. Made hard landing avoiding wires. Aircraft tied out injested sand. Lost compression.

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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