# NTSB LAX81FA015: Piper PA-38, N2553P, Santa Rosa, CA, November 17, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 17, 1980
- Place: Santa Rosa, CA · SANTA ROSA, CA
- Location: 38.4405° N, 122.7144° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Rosa, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4405&lon=-122.7144&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA015
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA015

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3738  80/11/17   SANTA ROSA,CA       PIPER PA-38         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1729                    N2553P              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 25, 254 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SONOMA COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SANTA ROSA,CA               HEALDSBURG,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL: SPIRAL                                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: POOR/INADEQUATE DESIGN
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PUSHROD,NR4 INTAKE VALVE,FLARED.THERMAL FATIGUE OF VALVE.1ST TKOF ABORTED DUE PWR LOSS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2553P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2553P-1981-03-17), registration cancelled 1981-03-17, S/N 38-79A1036, 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)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Sonoma County

## 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 19801117090339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801117090339A), Nov 17, 1980: Piper PA38112, Santa Rosa, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft stalled and spun in after engine malfunction on initial climb. Attempted 180 degree turn back to airport.

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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