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NTSB Report
January 18, 1983 · Piper PA-32-300 · N5208S
Palm Springs, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 18, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Palm Springs, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N5208S
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FUG13
THE ACFT CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AFTER HE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF THE PILOT STARTED DOWN THE RUNWAY. AT THE RUNWAYS END ACCORDING TO A SURVIVING PASSENGER THE PILOT SAID WE ARE IN TROUBLE. HE CALLED THE TOWER TO SAY HE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM AND THEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RUNWAY OR TAXI STRIP. WITNESSES LOCATED ON THE GROUND INCLUDING THE SURVIVING WITNESS REPORTED THAT IT APPEARED THE AIRCRAFT STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. POST CRASH INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE OR ANY OF ITS ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AFTER HE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF THE PILOT STARTED DOWN THE RUNWAY. AT THE RUNWAYS END ACCORDING TO A SURVIVING PASSENGER THE PILOT SAID WE ARE IN TROUBLE. HE CALLED THE TOWER TO SAY HE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM AND THEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RUNWAY OR TAXI STRIP. WITNESSES LOCATED ON THE GROUND INCLUDING THE SURVIVING WITNESS REPORTED THAT IT APPEARED THE AIRCRAFT STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. POST CRASH INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE OR ANY OF ITS ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:54 PST
Nearest AirportPalm Springs (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length7001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN5208S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal3
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC