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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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May 25, 1983 · Piper PA-28-180 · N4964L

Aguanga, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Aguanga, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N4964L
Operator
Richard Wheelock
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA251

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN ABANDONED AUTO DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER DURING TAKEOFF AND ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 85 MPH AND ROTATED. AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL THE ENGINE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE DID NOT SPUTTER OR KNOCK IT JUST FAILED TO PRODUCE ITS CUSTOMARY POWER. THE PILOT THEN ABORTED HIS TAKEOFF AND LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA BESIDE THE RWY. DURING LANDING HIS RIGHT WING GRAZED AN UNOCCUPIED CAR. AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AND THE PILOT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO TAXI BACK TO THE ARPT PARKING AREA. DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS MINOR. UPON EXAMINATION AND TESTING NO REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THE ENGINE NOT TO OPERATE NORMALLY.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN ABANDONED AUTO DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER DURING TAKEOFF AND ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 85 MPH AND ROTATED. AT ABOUT 15 FT AGL THE ENGINE SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE DID NOT SPUTTER OR KNOCK IT JUST FAILED TO PRODUCE ITS CUSTOMARY POWER. THE PILOT THEN ABORTED HIS TAKEOFF AND LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA BESIDE THE RWY. DURING LANDING HIS RIGHT WING GRAZED AN UNOCCUPIED CAR. AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AND THE PILOT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO TAXI BACK TO THE ARPT PARKING AREA. DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS MINOR. UPON EXAMINATION AND TESTING NO REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THE ENGINE NOT TO OPERATE NORMALLY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PDT
Nearest AirportLake Riverside (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN4964L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard Wheelock
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data