# NTSB LAX83FA123: Piper PA-38-112, N9716T, Blythe, CA, March 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1983, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Blythe, CA
- Coordinates: 33.749004, -114.509109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7490&lon=-114.5091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA123

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL AND THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A FUNCTIONAL TEST CONDUCTED 6 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9716T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9716T-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 38-78A0169, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0169
- Airframe hours: 405
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond Muccillo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1982, 13 hours before
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830305006349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830305006349A), Mar 5, 1983: Piper PA38112, Blythe, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout from a prepared dirt strip. Landed in trees. No fuel found in fuel tanks or spill evidence.

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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