# Accident 20131218025029A: Piper PA-32-301, Sun Valley, CA, December 18, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 18, 2013, 15:12 local time
- Place: Sun Valley, CA
- Airport: Whiteman
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.2592° N, 118.4133° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2592&lon=-118.4133&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8169C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8169C-2021-03-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-301 (registry code 7103207, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 512 total, 150 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA071) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131218025029A

## Narrative

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

N8169C LOST ENGINE POWER UPON TURNING CROSSWIND AFTER TAKEOFF FROM WHP. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL THE TANKS AND PERFORMED A MAG CHECK AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO WHP RWY 30, BUT WITH THE LOSS OF ALTITUDE THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING INTO A DIRT "WATER SPREADING FIELD". N8169C STRUCK A BOULDER WITH THE PROP AND THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED UPON LANDING. THE PILOTS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT INJURY.

## 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 WPR14LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA071), Dec 18, 2013: Piper PA 32-301 (N8169C), Los Angeles, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to adequately manage the fuel supply.

## Other reports on N8169C (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19960730025159I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960730025159I), Jul 30, 1996: Piper PA32301 (N8169C), Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. Narrative: on July 30, 1996, at approximately 1728 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-301 (N8169C was taxiing to runway 18R. It was noticed at this time that…
- [Accident 19831118059229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831118059229A), Nov 18, 1983: Piper PA32301 (N8169C), Kearney, NE, Substantial damage. Nose wheel collapsed when pilot lowered nose during landing. Aircraft veered off the runway striking a light.

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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