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NTSB Report
May 28, 1982 · Piper PA-24-250 · N6503P
Apple Valley, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 28, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Apple Valley, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N6503P
Operator
William J Lawson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX82DA198
DURING A FLIGHT FROM SAINT GEORGE, UT TO IMPERIAL, GA, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED FOG AS HE APPROACHED EL CAJON PASS, SOUTH OF APPLE VALLEY, CA. HE ATTEMPTED TO GO UNDER THE FOG BUT WAS UNABLE. HE REVERSED COURSE AND HEADED BACK TOWARD APPLE VALLEY. AS HE WAS PROCEEDING BACK TO APPLE VALLEY, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A LANDING ON LEVEL, ROUGH, DESERT TERRAIN. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE PILOT SHUT IT DOWN, REPORTEDLY, THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS HAD 10 AND 5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING, RESPECTIVELY. A EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES.
Full Narrative
DURING A FLIGHT FROM SAINT GEORGE, UT TO IMPERIAL, GA, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED FOG AS HE APPROACHED EL CAJON PASS, SOUTH OF APPLE VALLEY, CA. HE ATTEMPTED TO GO UNDER THE FOG BUT WAS UNABLE. HE REVERSED COURSE AND HEADED BACK TOWARD APPLE VALLEY. AS HE WAS PROCEEDING BACK TO APPLE VALLEY, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A LANDING ON LEVEL, ROUGH, DESERT TERRAIN. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE PILOT SHUT IT DOWN, REPORTEDLY, THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS HAD 10 AND 5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING, RESPECTIVELY. A EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN6503P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam J Lawson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1C5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 35 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0