# NTSB LAX82DA176: Piper PA-28-201T, N8089N, Van Nuys, CA, May 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1982, 12:47 local (19:47 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.189311, -118.490928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1893&lon=-118.4909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA176

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 1500 FT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT MANEUVERED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING AT THE VAN NUYS AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASH LANDED BETWEEN RUNWAYS 16L AND 16R WHILE IT WAS STILL IN A TURN. WHILE RECOVERING THE AIRCRAFT, A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. A DISASSEMBLE AND INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD, PN 642130, HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE DUE TO PARTIAL SURFACE DECARBURIZATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8089N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8089N-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 28-7921058, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-201T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-201t) (registry code 7102819) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7921058
- Airframe hours: 635
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: California Aviation
- Registered owner: Fileen Morgan
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16, 8,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 385 total, 1 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 178 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY

## 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 19820516016069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820516016069A), May 16, 1982: Piper PA28201T, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Made emergency crash landing on a airport. Connecting rod failure from fatigue mode.

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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