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NTSB Report

February 18, 1983 · Piper 601P · N90353

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 18, 1983
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Piper 601P
Tail Number
N90353
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA104

WHILE TAKING OFF, THE ACFT CLIMBED APRX 100 TO 200 FT, THEN BEGAN LOOSING ALT. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A STREET, IT HIT A PARKED CAR & A LIGHT POLE & BURST IN FLAMES. THE PLT, WHO LATER EXPIRED, SAID THAT NEITHER ENG DEVELOPED FULL POWER (2575 RPM). HE SAID THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL WHEN POWER WAS 1ST APPLIED, BUT SAID FULL RPM WAS GENERALLY OBTAINED SHORTLY AFTER THE ROLL WAS BEGUN. AFTER BEING COMMITTED FOR TAKEOFF, BOTH RPM'S WERE REPORTEDLY BETWEEN 2300 & 2400 RPM.SVRL WITNESSES STATED THE ENGS SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE RUNNING ROUGH. A WITNESS REPORTED THE ACFT SWERVED 'AS THO THE PLTHAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE L ENG.' REPORTEDLY, THE PLT 'DROPPED SOME MORE FLAPS' BELOW THE 20 DEG TAKEOFF SETTING 'IN ORDERTO PULL IT OFF' & RAISED THE GEAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF. ENG TEARDOWNS REVEALED EXCESSIVE SPARK PLUG GAPS, 1 MAG ONTHE R ENG HAD A .008 POINT GAP (.016 REQUIRED), ITS #1 & #4 DISTRIBUTOR BLOCKS WERE CRACKED & THE #1 & #6 LEADS WOULD NOT FIRE PROPERLY. HARTZELL F-6-5A PROP GOVERNORS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF F-6-35A. ACFT WAS APRX 348 LBS OVER MAX WT LMT.

Full Narrative

WHILE TAKING OFF, THE ACFT CLIMBED APRX 100 TO 200 FT, THEN BEGAN LOOSING ALT. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A STREET, IT HIT A PARKED CAR & A LIGHT POLE & BURST IN FLAMES. THE PLT, WHO LATER EXPIRED, SAID THAT NEITHER ENG DEVELOPED FULL POWER (2575 RPM). HE SAID THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL WHEN POWER WAS 1ST APPLIED, BUT SAID FULL RPM WAS GENERALLY OBTAINED SHORTLY AFTER THE ROLL WAS BEGUN. AFTER BEING COMMITTED FOR TAKEOFF, BOTH RPM'S WERE REPORTEDLY BETWEEN 2300 & 2400 RPM.SVRL WITNESSES STATED THE ENGS SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE RUNNING ROUGH. A WITNESS REPORTED THE ACFT SWERVED 'AS THO THE PLTHAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE L ENG.' REPORTEDLY, THE PLT 'DROPPED SOME MORE FLAPS' BELOW THE 20 DEG TAKEOFF SETTING 'IN ORDERTO PULL IT OFF' & RAISED THE GEAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF. ENG TEARDOWNS REVEALED EXCESSIVE SPARK PLUG GAPS, 1 MAG ONTHE R ENG HAD A .008 POINT GAP (.016 REQUIRED), ITS #1 & #4 DISTRIBUTOR BLOCKS WERE CRACKED & THE #1 & #6 LEADS WOULD NOT FIRE PROPERLY. HARTZELL F-6-5A PROP GOVERNORS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF F-6-35A. ACFT WAS APRX 348 LBS OVER MAX WT LMT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:13 PST
Nearest AirportMontgomery (0nm N)
Runway28R
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper 601P
Tail NumberN90353
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-S1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind50° @ 5 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 46
Altimeter0
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data