# NTSB LAX82FA347: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N8094F, Malibu, CA, September 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1982, 15:21 local (22:21 UTC)
- Place: Malibu, CA
- Coordinates: 34.059249, -118.810119 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0592&lon=-118.8101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA347
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA347

## 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
  - ignition system,magneto - inoperative (cause)
  - ignition system,distributor - shorted (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - corroded (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENG SEIZED APPROXIMATELY 3500 FT & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED OFF THE BEACH. THE RIGHT MAG DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK SHOWED EVIDENCE OF CARBON TRACKING & CROSS FIRING. NEITHER END OF THE RIGHT MAG HAD BREATHER PLUGS INSTALLED. ALL SPARK PLUGS WERE EXCESSIVELY FOULED & SEVERELY ERODED. SPRINGS ON THE SPARK PLUGS LEADS WERE BURNED & DIRTY. THE #1 CONROD WAS SPLITLENGTHWISE & WAS IN SEVERAL PIECES. EXAMINATION OF THE LOG BOOK SHOWED IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PRACTICES SUCH AS OVERHAULING A CYLINDER & INSTALLING DETERGENT TYPE OIL. NO EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH TELEDYNE SERVICE BULLETIN #612 COULD BE FOUND. THIS BULLETIN RECOMMENDS PERIODIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES TO ESTABLISH CLEANING & INSPECTION GUIDELINES GOVERNING BENDIX MAGNETOS & IGNITION HARNESSES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8094F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8094F-1983-04-09), registration cancelled 1983-04-09, S/N 28R-7931306 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7931306
- Airframe hours: 1168
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FBI 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Danforth & Assoc.
- Registered owner: John Valone
- Departed: SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: SANTA MONICA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,818 total, 810 in this make and model, 2,689 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 162 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.