# NTSB LAX82DVG16: Piper PA-38, N2374P, Fall River Mill, CA, March 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1982, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Fall River Mill, CA
- Coordinates: 41.01057, -121.469673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0106&lon=-121.4697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DVG16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70664/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DVG16

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - carburetor heat - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLIMB. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO LOOSE ALTITUDE AFTER A 180 DEGREE TURN, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2374P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2374P-2010-03-31), registration cancelled 2010-03-31, S/N 38-79A0968 (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
- Serial number: 3879A0968
- Airframe hours: 586
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Strom
- Registered owner: Larry Strom
- Departed: FALL RIVER MILL, CA
- Destination: FALL RIVER MILL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total, 10 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 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 19820320004589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820320004589A), Mar 20, 1982: Piper PA38112, Fall River Mill, CA, Destroyed. Unable to outclimb rising terrain after takeoff. Crashed into trees.

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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