# NTSB LAX93LA182: Piper PA-28R-200, N1060X, Avalon, CA, April 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1993, 16:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.380317, -118.450111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3803&lon=-118.4501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA182

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO STATEMENTS FROM THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS, AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 2,000 FEET MSL OVER THE WATER AND CRUISED ALONG THE SOUTH COAST OF THE ISLAND WITH THE INTENTION OF CIRCUMNAVIGATING THE ISLAND BEFORE RETURNING TO TORRANCE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND THE PASSENGERS SAID THE ENGINE WAS MAKING DIESELING TYPE NOISE. ALL THREE PERSONS SAID THE PROPELLER CONTINUED TO TURN, BUT THE ENGINE SEEMED TO HAVE NO POWER OUTPUT. THE PILOT SAID HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOOSING ALTITUDE AND HE THOUGHT THEY WOULD NOT CLEAR THE HILLS BETWEEN THEIR PRESENT POSITION AND THE FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED A RELATIVELY FLAT PLATEAU AND TURNED TOWARD IT WITH THE INTENTION OF LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. WHILE DESCENDING TOWARD THE ROAD, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A SCRUB OAK TREE SHORT OF THE OPEN AREA. THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER COMING TO REST. THE POST CRASH FIRE TOTALLY CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. ALL ENGINE ACCESSORIES INCLUDING THE IGNITION AND FUEL SYSTEMS WERE DESTROYED. NO UNUSUAL INTERNAL ENGINE OPERATING CONDITION WAS NOTED DURING A TEAR DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1060X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1060X-1995-04-14), registration cancelled 1995-04-14, S/N 28R7535229 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535229
- Airframe hours: 4640
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: South Bay Aviation
- Registered owner: Eli J. Alexander
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 1993, 32 hours before
- Departed: AVX
- Destination: TOA, TORRANCE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,080 total, 2,080 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19930422010519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930422010519A), Apr 22, 1993: Piper PA28R200, Avalon, CA, Destroyed. Pilot report power loss. Struck a tree crashed and burned trying to land on a road. Cause power loss undetermined.

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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