# NTSB LAX82DA178: Piper PA-36-285, N57734, E. Of Delano, CA, May 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1982, 17:00 local (May 16, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: E. Of Delano, CA
- Coordinates: 35.780681, -119.23088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7807&lon=-119.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE PROCEDURE TURN PHASE WHILE SPRAYING ORANGE TREES THE ENGINE STOPPED. SIX ORANGE TREES WERE DESTROYED DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57734 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7660052
- Airframe hours: 1660
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TIARA6-285C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bruce Oetting
- Registered owner: Rubert Kruger
- Departed: JASMINE, CA
- Destination: JASMINE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,955 total, 835 in this make and model, 1,851 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19820515026249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820515026249A), May 15, 1982: Piper PA36285, Delano, CA, Substantial damage. Engine belched black smoke and quit landed in orange grove that was being sprayed. Cause engine problem not listed.

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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