# NTSB LAX93LA074: Piper PA-22-20, N9436D, Florence, AZ, December 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1992, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Florence, AZ
- Location: 33.0315° N, 111.3873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Florence, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0315&lon=-111.3873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27891/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA074

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH; HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCH DOWN POINT; AND, DELAY IN EXECUTING A GO-AROUND.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-22-20 COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER A REPORTED PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER WHILE CRUISING ABOUT 1,000 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.  THE PILOT SELECTED A LONG FLAT FIELD AS AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LANDED BEYOND HIS DESIRED TOUCHDOWN POINT AND ELECTED TO GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, BUT STRUCK SOME TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD WHEN IT DID NOT ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THEM.  THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE WAS EXAMINED BY AN AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC (A&P).  THE A&P DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF POWER AS DESCRIBED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9436D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9436D-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 22-6410, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (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 6410
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Offerman, Harley J.
- Registered owner: Offerman, Harley J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: RYN, TUCSON, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 193 total, 47 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGZ, 22 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 19921223051859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921223051859A), Dec 23, 1992: Piper PA22160, Florence, AZ, Substantial damage. Reported partial power loss. Overshot open area for forced landing. Struck trees on go around. No engine 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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