Piper PA-28-161 accident near Lomita, California, July 20, 2003
On July 20, 2003 at about 11:49 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registered N3091M, was destroyed in an accident near Lomita, California (Zamperini Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. Also causal was the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in a stall/mush.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2003 · about 11:49 pm local time
- Place
- Lomita, California · Zamperini Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N3091M · no longer on the register · serial 28-7816337
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During climb out from an aborted precautionary landing after a partial loss of power, the pilot stalled the airplane and descended until impacting power lines, trees, and the ground. According to the pilot, prior to initiating the planned round-robin flight he had experienced a left magneto problem during the engine run-up procedure at the Whiteman Airport in Los Angeles. The pilot stated that he had "cleared the problem during the run-up..." and his takeoff from Whiteman was normal. No evidence of any engine problem was encountered during the flight to Torrance, whereupon the pilot landed without incident. However, the pilot reported to the local air traffic controller during his subsequent departure (initial climb) that he would like to turn around and land in the opposite direction to the departure runway. The pilot broadcast to the controller that he has "...got a little engine trouble here." The pilot reported that during the climb to about 700 feet above ground level, only partial engine power was attained. The controller responded by clearing the pilot to land on any runway and provided the local wind condition. Thereafter, the pilot reversed course. With a 10-knot tailwind, the pilot misjudged his downwind approach and landing on the mile-long runway. The pilot opined that he touched down too long to decelerate on the remaining available runway, so he responded by applying engine power to take off again. With extended wing flaps, the airplane became airborne. The pilot lost control of the airplane while he again reversed course to return to the airport. The airplane's stall warning horn activated, and the airplane buffeted and crashed while in an uncontrolled descent. During the subsequent engine examination, no evidence of any mechanical malfunction was found. At the time of the accident the Torrance airport METAR was reporting a temperature of 26 degrees Centigrade and dew point 21 degrees. With reference to a carburetor icing probability chart, the temperature and dew point falls into an area of the chart labeled moderate icing in cruise power or serious icing at glide power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 126 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 45 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 15, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,249 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 2, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 11:45 pm
- Destination: CPM Compton CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11L, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,300 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from TOA, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.