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NTSB Report

September 23, 1988 · Piper PA-32-260 · N3451W

Fullerton, CA

Overview

Report Status

Probable Cause

Event Type

Accident

Date

September 23, 1988

Injury Outcomes

2 injuries (2 serious injuries)

Location

Fullerton, CA

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-260

Tail Number

N3451W

Operator

Aviation Club of Fullerton

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

LAX88FA327

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-32-260, THAT HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO A MODEL PA-32-300 BY EXCHANGING THE ENGINE, TAXIED TO THE END OF A 3121 FOOT RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF WITH CALM WIND CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT LOAD CONSISTED OF FULL FUEL TANKS, PILOT AND PASSENGER, AND 30 POUNDS OF LUGGAGE. A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL APPROXIMATELY 2850 FEET BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON A FLAT ROOF OF A COMMERICAL BUILDING, COLLIDED WITH THE PARAPET AND CRASHED INTO THE STREET BELOW. THE POST CRASH ENGINE EXAM REVEALED RUST PARTICLES AND WATER THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE ACFT FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE PLT ALSO FAILED TO ABOUT THE TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-32-260, THAT HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO A MODEL PA-32-300 BY EXCHANGING THE ENGINE, TAXIED TO THE END OF A 3121 FOOT RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF WITH CALM WIND CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT LOAD CONSISTED OF FULL FUEL TANKS, PILOT AND PASSENGER, AND 30 POUNDS OF LUGGAGE. A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL APPROXIMATELY 2850 FEET BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON A FLAT ROOF OF A COMMERICAL BUILDING, COLLIDED WITH THE PARAPET AND CRASHED INTO THE STREET BELOW. THE POST CRASH ENGINE EXAM REVEALED RUST PARTICLES AND WATER THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time06:36 PDT

Nearest AirportFullerton Muni (0nm N)

Runway6

Runway Length3121 ft

Runway Width75 ft

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-260

Tail NumberN3451W

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageDestroyed

OperatorAviation Club of Fullerton

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-KIA5 · Reciprocating · 300

Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)

Fatal0

Serious2

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total2

Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

WindCalm

Visibility7 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55

Altimeter29.00 inHg

Observation Time13:46

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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September 23, 1988 · Piper PA-32-260 · N3451W

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