# NTSB LAX72AL053: Piper PA-31P, N6815L, San Diego, CA, April 21, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 21, 1972
- Place: San Diego, CA · SAN DIEGO, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX72AL053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL053

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0698  72/4/21    SAN DIEGO,CALIF     PIPER PA-31P        CR-  2  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 36, 2000
        TIME - 2227                    N6815L              PX-  0  1  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LINDBERGH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SANTA ANA,CALIF             RETURN                       SAN DIEGO,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPONTANEOUS-IMPROPER ACTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           COPILOT - SPONTANEOUS-IMPROPER ACTION
           COPILOT - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- ONE OF PLTS INADVERTENTLY SHUT OFF L ENG MAG SWITCHES. LOST CTL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6815L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Lindbergh

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.

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