# NTSB LAX82DA315: Piper PA-30, N7956Y, Santa Catalina, CA, August 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1982, 18:00 local (Aug 22, 1982, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Catalina, CA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA315

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LOST RIGHT ENGINE POWER FOLLOWING DEPARTURE FROM SANTA CATALINA. UNABLE TO CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT TO AIRPORT ALTITUDE THE PILOT DECIDED TO PROCEED OVER THE OPEN SEA TO SAN CLEMENTE. ABOUT 19 MILES FROM THE ISLAND THE PILOT STATED HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND THE LEFT ENGINE STOPPED. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7956Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7956Y-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 30-1052, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1052
- Airframe hours: 3100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hendrick Mcbride Development C
- Registered owner: Hendrick Mcbride Development C
- Departed: SANTA CATALINA, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,000 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19820821043549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820821043549A), Aug 21, 1982: Piper PA30, Santa Catalina, CA, Destroyed. Left engine quit after changing fuel selector. Right engine overheated. Ditched in ocean. Possible fuel problem.

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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