# NTSB LAX81DA028: Piper PA-44, N18KC, Oceanside, CA, December 29, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 29, 1980
- Place: Oceanside, CA · OCEANSIDE, CA
- Location: 33.1959° N, 117.3795° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oceanside, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1959&lon=-117.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DA028
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DA028

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3244  80/12/29 NR.OCEANSIDE,CA       PIPER PA-44         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 39, 486
        TIME - 1724                    N18KC               PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 106 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          CARLSBAD,CA                 CARLSBAD,CA                  SACRAMENTO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FAILURE OF TWO OR MORE ENGINES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- DITCHED IN PACIFIC OCEAN 8MI WNW OF OCEANSIDE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18KC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19801229089839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801229089839A), Dec 29, 1980: Piper PA44180, Oceanside, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed into ocean while ditching after fuel exhaustion.

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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