# NTSB LAX77FUM26: Piper PA-36, N9908P, Brawley, CA, April 20, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 20, 1977
- Place: Brawley, CA · BRAWLEY, CA
- Location: 32.9785° N, 115.5286° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brawley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9785&lon=-115.5286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 26, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUM26
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUM26

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2658  77/4/20  NR.BRAWLEY,CA         PIPER PA-36         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 54, 27527
        TIME - 0630                    N9908P              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 650 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         BRAWLEY,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: PULLUP FROM SWATH RUN
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 9999                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  25                  SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- NR 4 EXH VALVE FAILED DUE TO THERMAL FATIGUE OVR EXTENDED PERIOD. DUSTING SUGAR BEETS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9908P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19770420014539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770420014539A), Apr 20, 1977: Piper PA36285, Brawley, CA, Substantial damage. Nr 4 exh valve failed due to thermal fatigue ovr extended period. Dusting sugar beets.

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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