# NTSB LAX83FA055: Piper PA-31-350, N74957, 500 Nm E, Honolulu, HI, December 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1982, 02:28 local (10:28 UTC)
- Place: 500 Nm E, Honolulu, HI
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,oil - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - intentional, pilot in command
- Ditching, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED OAKLAND, CA AT 1733 PST ON A NIGHT FLIGHT TO HONOLULU, HI. THE FLT PROCEEDED WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL APRX 0050 PST WHEN THE PLT ADVISED THAT THE LEFT ENG WAS SLOWLY LOSING OIL PRESSURE. AT THAT TIME, THE ACFT WAS AT AN ALT OF 6000 FT. AT 0205, THE PLT REPORTED HE SHUT DOWN THE ENG & WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN 6000 FT. A DESCENT WAS STARTED. IN HIS LAST TRANSMISSION AT 0228 PST, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS AT 500 FT, BARELY MAINTAINING ALT. RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST WHEN THE ACFT WAS APRX 500 MI EAST OF HONOLULU. AT 1559, THE CREW OF A SEARCH ACFT SIGHTED FLOATING DEBRIS & 1 BODY FLOATING IN THAT AREA. A MARKER BUOY WAS DEPLOYED, BUT NO RECOVERY WAS ACCOMPLISH. THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED & BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN FATALLY INJURED. THE ACFT CRASHED IN MODERATE SEA CONDITIONS WITH WAVES HEIGHTS ESTIMATED AT 3 TO 5 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74957](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74957-1982-12-28), registration cancelled 1982-12-28, S/N 31-7305106 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7305106
- Airframe hours: 5093
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Brent'S International, Inc.
- Registered owner: Brent'S International, Inc.
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 320° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °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 19821209062909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821209062909A), Dec 9, 1982: Piper PA31, Honolulu, HI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost oil pressure, shut down left engine. Unable to maintain altitude, ditched. Bocy and debris seen before sinking

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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