# NTSB LAX82FYM18: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2090W, San Carlos, CA, July 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1982, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: San Carlos, CA
- Location: 37.4990° N, 122.2676° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Carlos, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4990&lon=-122.2676&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FYM18
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FYM18

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING AT THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT TAXIED TO THE TRANSIENT PARKING AREA, PARKED AND GOT A CUP OF COFFEE. HE STATED THAT HE THEN MADE A QUICK PREFLIGHT CHECK, BUT DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE FUEL TANKS. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PUSHED ALL LEVERS FORWARD, CHECKED THE FUEL PUMP WAS ON AND SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK, BUT THIS HAD NO EFFECT. HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND REACCOMPLISHED HIS EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, BUT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROUGH/ERODED SHORELINE. DURING THE LANDING, THE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE WINGS AND FUSELAGE WERE DAMAGED. ABOUT 20 GAL OF FUEL WERE REMAINING IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK, BUT ONLY ABOUT 1/2 GAL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2090W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2090W-2014-10-01), registration cancelled 2014-10-01, S/N 28R-7918075, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-79180
- Airframe hours: 1921
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Iasco Corporation
- Registered owner: Iasco Corporation
- Departed: SAN CARLOS, CA
- Destination: SAN CARLOS, CA
- Airport: San Carlos

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 777 total, 57 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 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 19820731033699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820731033699A), Jul 31, 1982: Piper PA28RT201, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred when engine quit on takeoff. Fuel tank was switched after engine quit.

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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