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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 16, 1983 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N4579J

Flagstaff, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 16, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N4579J
Operator
Robin D Seaton
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83FUJ13

THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPARK PLUGS LOADING UP BEFORE HE DEPARTED SACRAMENTO, CA ON A X-COUNTRY & THER MAGNETO (MAG) HAD BEEN OVERHAULED BEFORE HE DEPARTED. HE STATED THE ENG RAN WELL 'EXCEPT FOR BRIEF PLUG LOAD (ONE CYL)CLEARED BY LEANING MIXTURE.' EN ROUTE STOPS WERE MADE AT TEHACHAPI, CA & FLAGSTAFF, AZ FOR FUEL. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING TAKEOFF AT FLAGSTAFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 100 FT AGL. HOWEVER, WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENG WAS MISSING ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL. ONE WITNESS, A CFI, STATED THAT FROM WHERE HE 1ST HEARD THE ENG, IT WAS MISSING STEADILY, BUT THE ACFTCONTINUED ON THE TAKEOFF & ROLLED APRX ANOTHER 1500 FT BEFORE THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH THE ENG STILL MISSING. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT SETTLED, HIT TREETOPS & CRASHED. THE R MAG WAS FOUND AT 3 DEG BEFORE-TOP-DEAD-CENTER (BTDC). HOWEVER, THERE WERE SCRAPE MARKS WHERE IT HAD ROTATED; THE RETAINING NUTS WERE SNUG, BUT NO TIGHT. ALSO, THE LEFT MAG WAS IN ITS PROPER POSITION TO FIRE AT 25 DEG BTDC. THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 7012 FT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPARK PLUGS LOADING UP BEFORE HE DEPARTED SACRAMENTO, CA ON A X-COUNTRY & THER MAGNETO (MAG) HAD BEEN OVERHAULED BEFORE HE DEPARTED. HE STATED THE ENG RAN WELL 'EXCEPT FOR BRIEF PLUG LOAD (ONE CYL)CLEARED BY LEANING MIXTURE.' EN ROUTE STOPS WERE MADE AT TEHACHAPI, CA & FLAGSTAFF, AZ FOR FUEL. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING TAKEOFF AT FLAGSTAFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 100 FT AGL. HOWEVER, WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENG WAS MISSING ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL. ONE WITNESS, A CFI, STATED THAT FROM WHERE HE 1ST HEARD THE ENG, IT WAS MISSING STEADILY, BUT THE ACFTCONTINUED ON THE TAKEOFF & ROLLED APRX ANOTHER 1500 FT BEFORE THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH THE ENG STILL MISSING. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT SETTLED, HIT TREETOPS & CRASHED. THE R MAG WAS FOUND AT 3 DEG BEFORE-TOP-DEAD-CENTER (BTDC). HOWEVER, THERE WERE SCRAPE MARKS WHERE IT HAD ROTATED; THE RETAINING NUTS WERE SNUG, BUT NO TIGHT. ALSO, THE LEFT MAG WAS IN ITS PROPER POSITION TO FIRE AT 25 DEG BTDC. THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 7012 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:22 MST
Nearest AirportPULLIAM (2nm NNE)
Runway3
Runway Length6999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN4579J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobin D Seaton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data