# NTSB LAX94LA325: Piper PA-12, N3415M, Riverside, CA, August 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1994, 19:07 local (Aug 19, 1994, 02:07 UTC)
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.900093, -117.399116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9001&lon=-117.3991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA325

## Probable cause

a total 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
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A STREET AND COLLIDED WITH TWO AUTOMOBILES. A RESPONDING POLICE OFFICER REPORTED OBSERVING FUEL IN THE STREET NEAR THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE WERE EXAMINED BY AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPORTED FINDING EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE APPEARED CAPABLE OF PRODUCING POWER.

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 1994, at 1907 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N3415M, operated by its owner, experienced a total loss of engine power while cruising near Riverside, California.  The pilot made a forced landing on a city street, and during rollout, collided with two occupied automobiles.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The certificated airline transport pilot received minor injuries.  No one on the ground was injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight which originated from Lake Havasu, Arizona, at 1730.

According to a police officer who responded to the accident site, fuel was observed in the street near the airplane.  Under the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board, the airplane was examined by an airplane mechanic.  The mechanic reported finding evidence of fuel in the airplane.  No evidence was found of any mechanical problems with the airplane's engine.  The mechanic reported that the engine appeared capable of producing power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3415M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3415M-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 12-2265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-2265
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven C. Walker
- Registered owner: Steven C. Walker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1993, 38 hours before
- Departed: HII, LAKE HAVASU, AZ
- Destination: CNO, CHINO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 5,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 3,040 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAL, 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 19940818021719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940818021719A), Aug 18, 1994: Piper PA12, Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. Reported power loss. Landed city street. Hit two vehicles. No engine or fuel anomalies. Engine problem unknown.

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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