# NTSB LAX93LA138: Piper PA-28-161, N975MA, Chandler, AZ, February 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1993, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.240158, -111.779556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2402&lon=-111.7796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA138

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE CFI AND STUDENT WERE PRACTICING A SIMULATED POWER-OFF FORCED LANDING.  THE CFI REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT 300 FEET AGL, WHEN THE EXERCISE WAS ENDED AND THE STUDENT APPLIED POWER TO GO AROUND, THE ENGINE QUIT AFTER THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL WAS MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION.  BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE, INCLUDING TURNING THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL BACK TO THE ON POSITION AND MOVING THE FUEL SELECTOR TO ANOTHER TANK, WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.  THE LEFT MAIN GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS SOME TIME AFTER THE ACCIDENT.  ONE OF THE INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AFTER IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE.  THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION REVEALED CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL SYSTEM TO THE FUEL STRAINER, WHICH WAS LOOSE AND DID NOT CONTAIN A SAFETY WIRE.     FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR.  THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N975MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N975MA-1995-09-30), registration cancelled 1995-09-30, S/N 288216125 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8216125
- Airframe hours: 4290
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1993, 13 hours before
- Departed: P10
- Destination: P10

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 760 total, 630 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °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 19930226003949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930226003949A), Feb 26, 1993: Piper PA28161, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on go around from practice forced landing. Right tank empty. Fuel in left. No restart on tank with fuel

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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