Piper PA-22-150 accident near Fullerton, California, February 27, 1991
On February 27, 1991, a Piper PA-22-150, registered N3724P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fullerton, California (Fullerton airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS WATER IN THE FUEL TANK.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 1991
- Place
- Fullerton, California · Fullerton
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-150 · all PA-22-150s on the register
- Registration
- N3724P · no longer on the register · serial 22-3442
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
PRIOR TO DEPARTING THE NONCERTIFICATED PILOT FILLED THE AIRPLANE'S GAS TANKS WITH ABOUT 20 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL FROM UNFILTERED GASOLINE CANS. HE THEN FAILED TO DO AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. SHORTLY AFTER EXECUTING A DOWNWIND DEPARTURE AND WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABEAM THE TOWER THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED ABOUT ONE HALF CUP OF WATER. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.
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: student
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,427 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: L66 Corona CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.