# Accident 19990706042679A: Piper PA28181, San Luis Obispo, CA, July 6, 1999 - Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported - Date: July 6, 1999, 08:15 local time - Place: San Luis Obispo, CA - Damage: Substantial damage - Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing - Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91) - Location: 35.2509° N, 120.6205° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2509&lon=-120.6205&mi=10 - Aircraft: N3477Q, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3477Q-2012-09-12) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry model: Piper PA-28-181 (registry code 7102807, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28181 - Reported engine: LYC O360A4M - People aboard: 2 - Fatal injuries: 0 - Pilot flight hours: 3,050 total, 150 in this make and model, 126 in the last 90 days - NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX99LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA234) (OpenAirDocs) - FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/) - Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990706042679A ## Narrative As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^. (.4)ON JULY 6, 1999, ABOUT 0815 HOURS PDT, A PIPER PA-28-181, N3477Q, OPERATED BY CAL COAST FLYERS, INC. WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING NEAR SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. THE FORCED LANDING WAS PRECIPITATED BY A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING THE CLIMB TO CRUISE PHASE. NEITHER THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR NOR THE STUDENT PILOT WAS INJURED. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT BOTH THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE INSTRUCTOR HAD RECEIVED AN INSTRUMENT CLEARANCE FOR AN IFR CLIMB TO VFR CONDITIONS ON TOP. THE CROSS-COUNTRY INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91 DEPARTED AT 0800 AND WAS ENROUTE TO SANTA MONICA, CA. AFTER REACHING VFR ON TOP, ABOUT 1,800 FEET MSL, THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT TO THE ENGINE. AT THAT POINT, THE ENGINE REVOLUTIONS DECREASED TO 1,800 AND THEN TO 1,500 RPM. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN RESTORING FULL ENGINE POWER, AND THE POWER OUTPUT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. HE THEN DESCENDED THROUGH THE STRATUS CLOUD DECK, BROKE OUT AT 700-800 FEET MSL, AND LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE A/C COLLIDED WITH GROUND OBSTRUCTIONS. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FAA INSPECTOR FROM THE SAN JOSE FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE REVEALED A FIBROUS MATERIAL CONTAMINATING THE INSIDE OF THE CARBURETOR THROAT. FURTHER EXAMINATIONS OF THE INDUCTION SYSTEM REVEALED A BURNED AND TORN CARBURETOR INLET HOSE. THE LAST MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE ON THIS RENTAL A/C OCCURRED 50 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. (-23)THE PILOT SAID AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT, IFR, ON THE WYNNR ONE DEPARTURE FROM SBP, THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON TOP OF THE OVERCAST AT 1600-1800 FEET MSL. HE SAID AT THAT ALTITUDE THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED POWER LOSS, REDUCING TO 1800 RPM. THE PILOT SAID HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND DESCENDED BACK INOT THE OVERCAST, AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS IN VMC AT APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET MSL. HE SAID HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT, ADJUSTED MIXTURE, SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, AND CHECKED MAGNETOS IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE POWER. HE SAID THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, REDUCING TO 1400 RPM. THE PILOT STATED WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO "STRETCH" THE GLIDE BACK TO THE AIRPORT, HE TURNED 180 DEGREES, MAKING AN APPROACH TO SAFFLOWER FI ELD, SOUTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT. HE SAID DURING THE LANDING THE WINGTIP WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK A SAFFLOWER PLANT, TURNING THE AIRCRAFT 90 DEGREES AND DAMAGING THE NOSE GEAR. ## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX99LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA234), Jul 6, 1999: Piper PA-28-181 (N3477Q), San Luis Obispo, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to contamination of the induction system and the carburetor throat. Factors in the accident were a prior undetected carburetor fire, which caused a deterioration in the air… From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.