# NTSB LAX04LA182: Piper PA-38-112, N25645, San Martin, CA, April 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 2004, 13:19 local (20:19 UTC) - Place: San Martin, CA - Coordinates: 37.081665, -121.596946 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0817&lon=-121.5969&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59037 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59037/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA182 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - fence ## Analysis The airplane collided with a fence during a forced landing due to loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The airplane had not been flown for about 6 weeks. The owner and pilot completed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane, with special attention to the fuel samples. The pilot was unable to remember when the airplane's fuel tanks were last filled, but opined that it was also nearly 6 weeks previous. The pilot reported the quantity of the fuel tanks as more than 1/2 full, and the fuel samples were clear of water and debris. The pilot operated the engine for about 20 minutes, and then performed before takeoff checks. The pilot stated that all engine and fuel system indications were normal. During initial climb after takeoff, the airplane's engine experienced a loss of power, resulting in a forced landing. During recovery of the airplane, fuel was found in one tank, the other tank had ruptured with evidence of fuel spillage on the ground underneath. ## Factual narrative On April 9, 2004, about 1319 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N25645, collided with the airport perimeter fence after a loss of engine power during departure from South County Airport of Santa Clara County, San Martin, California. The owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown for about 6 weeks. The owner and pilot completed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane, with special attention to the fuel samples. The pilot was unable to remember when the airplane's fuel tanks were last filled, but opined that it was also nearly 6 weeks previous. The pilot reported the quantity of the fuel tanks as more than 1/2 full, and the fuel samples were clear of water and debris. The pilot operated the engine for about 20 minutes, and then performed a before takeoff check. The pilot stated that all engine and fuel system indications were normal. During initial climb after takeoff, the airplane's engine experienced a loss of power, resulting in a forced landing. The pilot attempted to land the airplane in an open field and collided with the airport perimeter fence. In a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, an airport operations employee, and certified pilot, recalled witnessing the accident. The witness stated that he was performing maintenance on the airport perimeter when he heard sputtering from the airplane's engine. He watched the pilot perform a right turn and make a forced landing in a field. The witness added that during recovery while moving the airplane, he noted that one of the fuel tanks contained fuel. The other fuel tank was ruptured in the accident and he noted evidence of fuel leakage nearby. The owner of the airplane stated in a telephone conversation that before he purchased the airplane, an annual inspection was performed on May 30, 2003. During the positioning flight from the purchase location in Indiana, to the owner's home base in California, in September 2003, the owner requested additional maintenance after experiencing less than full power during flight. An engine inspection found deterioration in the muffler and a damaged magneto; both were replaced. The pilot operated the airplane an additional 25 hours between September 2003, and the day of the accident. No further maintenance was performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25645](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25645-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 38-81A0034, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-81A0034 - Airframe hours: 4800 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2003, 5 hours before - Departed: E16, San Martin, CA - Destination: E16, San Martin, CA - Airport: E16, So County Airport/Santa Clara, runway 32, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 5, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: RHV, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040409021989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040409021989A), Apr 9, 2004: Piper PA38112, San Martin, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Lost engine power after takeoff, attempted to land, went through a fence and came to rest in a field. ## Other investigations on N25645 (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 CHI81FEK14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEK14), Apr 16, 1981: Piper PA-38 (N25645), New Concord, OH, substantial damage 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. --- 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.