# Accident 20131024022549A: Piper PA-28-180, Big Creek, CA, October 24, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 24, 2013, 10:30 local time
- Place: Big Creek, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.1836° N, 119.1386° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1836&lon=-119.1386&mi=10
- Aircraft: N30865, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30865-2014-02-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-180 (registry code 7102808, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (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 PA-28-180
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,700 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA031) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131024022549A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON OCT 24, 2013, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED BISHOP, CA ENROUTE TO FRESNO CHANDLER AIRPORT, FRESNO, CA.   WHEN LEVEL AT CRUISE FLIGHT AT 11, 500 HE EXPERIENCE A OIL PRESSURE LOSS AND COMPLETE ENGINE STOPPAGE.  HE GLIDED FOR LANDING IN THE FOREST AT 9200 FEET ELEVATION AND SURVIVED THAT LANDING.  THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND HE SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES.  THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A PLACE WHERE ONLY HIKING INTO THE LOCATION WAS POSSIBLE.   THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL AND FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT ASSISTED IN HIS REMOVAL FROM THE SCENE BY HELICOPTER HOIST AND BASKET.    INSPECTOR JOHN JENSEN AND LAWRENCE DECOSTA INTERVIEWED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ IN THE FRESNO COMMUNITY HOSIPITAL ON 10-28-2013 AND HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED BY HIMSELF AND HIS CO OWNER ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.  WHEN WE ASKED HIM WHETHER EITHER OF THEM HAD A FAA AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT CERTIFICATE, HE SAID NO.   I ASKED WHETHER ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ HAD COMPLETED HIS FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATION RECENTLY.  HE SAID NO.  AIRCRAFT INSPECTION TO OCCUR ON DECEMBER 5, 2013 IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA WITH THE NTSB.  THE SCENE WAS INACCESSIBLE.

## 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 WPR14LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA031), Oct 24, 2013: Piper PA 28-180 (N30865), Big Creek, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the improper installation of an oil pressure sending unit by the pilot, who was not a certificated mechanic, which resulted in a forced landing in mountainous terrain.

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.

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