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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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December 13, 1986 · Piper PA-32R-300 · N2209Q

San Jose, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Jose, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32R-300
Tail Number
N2209Q
Operator
Flight East
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA048

A PIPER PA 32R-300 LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY AFTER A LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT REPORTED DURING THE CLIMB THAT HE TURNED ON THE HEATER AND THE WINDSHIELD TURNED BLACK OBSCURING OUTSIDE VISION. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A 'PUNGENT ODOR' AT THE SAME TIME. THE PLT RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO CLEAR. WHEN THE PLT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO RESUME THE CLIMB THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN WOULD NOT PRODUCE POWER. HE WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS TOWARD AN AIRPORT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO JUDGE HIS POSITION IN RELATION TO THE AIRPORT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. HE PREMATURELY LOST ALTITUDE BY S-TURNING AND SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED SHORT OF AND PARALLEL TO THE RWY. THE AIRCRAFT'S ENG WAS EXAMINED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. IT WAS NOTED THAT 4 SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN THE AREA OF THE ELECTRODE. FURTHER EXAMINATION DURING A TEARDOWN INSPECTION REVEALED THE MUFFLER HAD EXPLODED BLOCKING THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM.

Full Narrative

A PIPER PA 32R-300 LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY AFTER A LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT REPORTED DURING THE CLIMB THAT HE TURNED ON THE HEATER AND THE WINDSHIELD TURNED BLACK OBSCURING OUTSIDE VISION. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A 'PUNGENT ODOR' AT THE SAME TIME. THE PLT RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO CLEAR. WHEN THE PLT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO RESUME THE CLIMB THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN WOULD NOT PRODUCE POWER. HE WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS TOWARD AN AIRPORT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO JUDGE HIS POSITION IN RELATION TO THE AIRPORT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. HE PREMATURELY LOST ALTITUDE BY S-TURNING AND SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED SHORT OF AND PARALLEL TO THE RWY. THE AIRCRAFT'S ENG WAS EXAMINED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR. IT WAS NOTED THAT 4 SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN THE AREA OF THE ELECTRODE. FURTHER EXAMINATION DURING A TEARDOWN INSPECTION REVEALED THE MUFFLER HAD EXPLODED BLOCKING THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:55 PST
Nearest AirportReid Hillview (0nm N)
Runway31R
Runway Length3101 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32R-300
Tail NumberN2209Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlight East
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TI0-540 SER · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time08:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data