2 fatal · Piper PA-32R-300 · 2001-03-09 · Essex, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX01FA113
Event ID
20010316X00594
Type
Accident
Date
2001-03-09
Location
Essex, CA, USA
Coordinates
34.960227, -115.310028
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA-32R-300
Registration
N1965H
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
Rupture of the fuel injection flow divider diaphragm due to improper manufacture of the raw material stock from which the diaphragm was fabricated. The diaphragm tear resulted in complete engine power loss, which required the pilot to descend into an undercast. The undercast obscured the mountain, which the airplane impacted. A factor in the accident was the manufacturer's inadequate quality control.