# NTSB LAX82FUM07: Piper PA-36-285, N9979P, Imperial, CA, June 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1982, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Imperial, CA
- Location: 32.8388° N, 115.5720° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Imperial, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8388&lon=-115.5720&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUM07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUM07

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aircraft weight and balance - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not possible, pilot in command
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A WET AND MUDDY RUNWAY. HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND LANDED IN A COTTON FIELD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE HITTING A DITCH. REPORTEDLY, THE PREVIOUS (FIRST) TAKEOFF REQUIRED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUNWAY AND THE PILOT HAD INSTRUCTED THE HELPER TO REDUCE THIS LOAD BY 400 LBS. THE OWNER SAID THAT SOME SPRAY MATERIAL (SULFUR) HAD REMAINED IN THE HOPPER AFTER PREVIOUS FLIGHTS AND THAT THE HELPER HAD NOT LOOKED INTO THE HOPPER BEFORE ADDING SULFUR FOR THIS FLIGHT. ALSO, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE QUANTITY OF THE LOAD BEFORE STARTING HIS TAKEOFF. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE RPM AND MANIFOLD PRESSURE WERE NORMAL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY WHERE IT HIT A BERM AND BECAME AIRBORNE IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE HOPPER WAS FOUND TO BE NEARLY FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9979P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9979P), registered now, S/N 36-7560092, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 6-285-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-6-285-a) (registry code 17038, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7560092
- Airframe hours: 1256
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 6-285A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 137
- Operator: Frontier Ag. Service
- Registered owner: Frontier Ag. Service
- Departed: IMPERIAL, CA
- Destination: IMPERIAL, CA
- Airport: Forrester & Northington, runway 9, 2,600 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,891 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820622024239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820622024239A), Jun 22, 1982: Piper PA36285, Imperial, CA, Substantial damage. Crashed while attempting takeoff from wet, muddy field. Aborted takeoff but could not stop before hitting ditch.

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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