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NTSB Report
April 6, 1983 · Piper PA 32-300 · N15278
San Luis Obispo, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA 32-300
Tail Number
N15278
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA178
THE ACFT DEPARTED RWY 29, & AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL THE ENG WAS HEARD TO SPUTTER & SURGE. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED IN A STEEP LEFT BANK TOWARD RWY 7. THE WINGS LEVELED JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT ABOUT 100 FT SHORT OF RWY 7. ARPT POLICE PERSONNEL INSPECTED THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT & FOUND THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TIP TANK. THE LEFT TIP TANK WAS EMPTY & BOTH MAINS WERE FULL. THE PLT STATED HE HAD SWITCHED THE FUEL TANK TO LEFT MAIN PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT DEPARTED RWY 29, & AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL THE ENG WAS HEARD TO SPUTTER & SURGE. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED IN A STEEP LEFT BANK TOWARD RWY 7. THE WINGS LEVELED JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT ABOUT 100 FT SHORT OF RWY 7. ARPT POLICE PERSONNEL INSPECTED THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT & FOUND THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TIP TANK. THE LEFT TIP TANK WAS EMPTY & BOTH MAINS WERE FULL. THE PLT STATED HE HAD SWITCHED THE FUEL TANK TO LEFT MAIN PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 PST
Nearest AirportSan Luis Obispo (0nm N)
Runway7
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA 32-300
Tail NumberN15278
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:40
Weather SourcePILO