# NTSB LAX83FA064: Cessna 340A, N1947E, Monterey, CA, January 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1983, 17:20 local (Jan 3, 1983, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Monterey, CA
- Coordinates: 36.59946, -121.879325 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5995&lon=-121.8793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, airport personnel (cause)
  - aircraft service - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ALONG THE SHORELINE IN THE OCEAN. THE ACFT DITCHED ABOUT 100 YARDS OFF SHORE. ALL 4 OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THRU THE AIRSTAIR DOOR AND RECEIVEDONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE ACFT SANK AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. IT WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE 27 FT DEEP WATER. TWO OCCUPANTS SWAM ASHORE AND 2 WERE RESCUED BY THE COAST GUARD. THE LINE ATTENDANT WHO SERVICED THE ACFT MISTOOK IT FOR A KING AIR. THE PILOT REQUESTED THAT ALL 4 TANKS BE TOPPED OFF. THE LINE ATTENDANT ADDED 110 GALLONS OF JET A FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1947E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1947E-1984-02-22), registration cancelled 1984-02-22, S/N 340A0677 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0677
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: L. F. Anderson, doing business as Radar Devices, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sanitary Rental Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 41 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 2 nm away

## 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 19830102000139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830102000139A), Jan 2, 1983: Cessna 340A, Monterey, CA, Destroyed. Both engines on climbout ditched in ocean. Aircraft sank. Had been fueled with jet a fuel. Pilot failed to check.

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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