# NTSB LAX83FA104: Piper 601P, N90353, San Diego, CA, February 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1983, 19:13 local (Feb 18, 1983, 03:13 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.799583, -117.130744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7996&lon=-117.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA104

## 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 - roll/run
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,governor - improper (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - cracked (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - erratic (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - worn (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE TAKING OFF, THE ACFT CLIMBED APRX 100 TO 200 FT, THEN BEGAN LOOSING ALT. DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A STREET, IT HIT A PARKED CAR & A LIGHT POLE & BURST IN FLAMES. THE PLT, WHO LATER EXPIRED, SAID THAT NEITHER ENG DEVELOPED FULL POWER (2575 RPM). HE SAID THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL WHEN POWER WAS 1ST APPLIED, BUT SAID FULL RPM WAS GENERALLY OBTAINED SHORTLY AFTER THE ROLL WAS BEGUN. AFTER BEING COMMITTED FOR TAKEOFF, BOTH RPM'S WERE REPORTEDLY BETWEEN 2300 & 2400 RPM.SVRL WITNESSES STATED THE ENGS SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE RUNNING ROUGH. A WITNESS REPORTED THE ACFT SWERVED 'AS THO THE PLTHAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE L ENG.' REPORTEDLY, THE PLT 'DROPPED SOME MORE FLAPS' BELOW THE 20 DEG TAKEOFF SETTING 'IN ORDERTO PULL IT OFF' & RAISED THE GEAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF. ENG TEARDOWNS REVEALED EXCESSIVE SPARK PLUG GAPS, 1 MAG ONTHE R ENG HAD A .008 POINT GAP (.016 REQUIRED), ITS #1 & #4 DISTRIBUTOR BLOCKS WERE CRACKED & THE #1 & #6 LEADS WOULD NOT FIRE PROPERLY. HARTZELL F-6-5A PROP GOVERNORS INSTALLED IN PLACE OF F-6-35A. ACFT WAS APRX 348 LBS OVER MAX WT LMT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90353](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90353-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 61P-0211-021, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper 601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0211-021
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marden G. Dixon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1983
- Destination: PROVO, UT
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery, runway 28R, 3,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Observed at: MYF

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.