# NTSB LAX79DUG54: Piper PA-38, N2444K, 29 Palms, CA, August 27, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 27, 1979
- Place: 29 Palms, CA · 29 PALMS, CA
- Location: 34.1356° N, 116.0542° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Twentynine Palms, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1356&lon=-116.0542&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DUG54
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUG54

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2442  79/8/27    29 PALMS,CA         PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 30, 41 TOTAL
        TIME - 1242                    N2444K              PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  HOURS, 11 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          EL CAJON,CA                 RETURN                       BLYTHE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE ACCESSORIES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OIL EXHAUSTION-ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- NIPPLE,AN911,FAILED IN THREADED AREA.NO SUPPORTING BRACKET/CLAMP W HOBBS METER INSTALLATION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2444K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2444K-2011-08-02), registration cancelled 2011-08-02, S/N 38-79A0638, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- 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
- 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 19790827022799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790827022799A), Aug 27, 1979: Piper PA38112, Twenty Nine Pal, CA, Substantial damage. Oil line failed, causing engine failure and subsequent emergency landing.

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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