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NTSB Report
May 16, 1982 · Piper PA-28-201T · N8089N
Van Nuys, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Van Nuys, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-201T
Tail Number
N8089N
Operator
California Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX82DA176
DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 1500 FT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING AT THE VAN NUYS AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASH LANDED BETWEEN RUNWAYS 16L AND 16R WHILE IT WAS STILL IN A TURN. WHILE RECOVERING THE AIRCRAFT, A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. A DISASSEMBLE AND INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD, PN 642130, HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE DUE TO PARTIAL SURFACE DECARBURIZATION.
Full Narrative
DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 1500 FT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING AT THE VAN NUYS AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASH LANDED BETWEEN RUNWAYS 16L AND 16R WHILE IT WAS STILL IN A TURN. WHILE RECOVERING THE AIRCRAFT, A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. A DISASSEMBLE AND INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD, PN 642130, HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE DUE TO PARTIAL SURFACE DECARBURIZATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:47 PDT
Nearest AirportVANNUYS (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-201T
Tail NumberN8089N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCalifornia Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 24 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time12:45