# NTSB LAX80FVM33: Piper PA-32R, N20817, San Carlos, CA, June 24, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 24, 1980
- Place: San Carlos, CA · SAN CARLOS, CA
- Location: 37.4990° N, 122.2676° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Carlos, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4990&lon=-122.2676&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 16, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVM33
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVM33

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1835  80/6/24    SAN CARLOS,CA       PIPER PA-32R        CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 55, UNK/NR
        TIME - 1802                    N20817              PX-  0  0  1  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SAN CARLOS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN CARLOS,CA              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- TRANSPORTING ILLEGAL DRUGS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20817](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20817), registered now, S/N 32R-7887179, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: San Carlos

## 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 19800624021949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800624021949A), Jun 24, 1980: Piper PA32R300, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Landed in a canal. Found water in fuel and a loose fuel line.

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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