# NTSB LAX82DA198: Piper PA-24-250, N6503P, Apple Valley, CA, May 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1982, 18:15 local (May 28, 1982, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Apple Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.570011, -117.15084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5700&lon=-117.1508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - fog
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A FLIGHT FROM SAINT GEORGE, UT TO IMPERIAL, GA, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED FOG AS HE APPROACHED EL CAJON PASS, SOUTH OF APPLE VALLEY, CA. HE ATTEMPTED TO GO UNDER THE FOG BUT WAS UNABLE. HE REVERSED COURSE AND HEADED BACK TOWARD APPLE VALLEY. AS HE WAS PROCEEDING BACK TO APPLE VALLEY, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A LANDING ON LEVEL, ROUGH, DESERT TERRAIN. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE PILOT SHUT IT DOWN, REPORTEDLY, THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS HAD 10 AND 5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING, RESPECTIVELY. A EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6503P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6503P-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 24-1624, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1624
- Airframe hours: 2574
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Lawson
- Registered owner: William J. Lawson
- Departed: SAINT GEORGE, UT
- Destination: IMPERIAL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,200 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 35 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles

## 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 19820527021339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820527021339A), May 27, 1982: Piper PA24250, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Reported partial power loss. Crash landed in desert. Nothing found to account for problem except en route weather.

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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