# NTSB LAX83FA351: Piper PA32R-T301, N8370L, Bakersfield, CA, July 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1983, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.429603, -118.830444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4296&lon=-118.8304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA351
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA351

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD, COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUITAT 75 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND RAN FOR OVER 7 MINUTES UNTIL IT WAS CUT OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8370L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8370L-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 32R-8129060 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R-T301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-301T
- Airframe hours: 415
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-31AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Saratoga Sp 81 Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1983, 18 hours before
- Airport: L91, Rio Bravo, runway 8, 3,065 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,230 total, 32 in this make and model, 1,230 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BEL, 10 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 19830725035279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830725035279A), Jul 25, 1983: Piper PA32RT301, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after power loss on takeoff.

## Other investigations on N8370L (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN11LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA048), Oct 29, 2010: Piper PA-32R-301T (N8370L), Waterloo, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of a stabilator control cable turnbuckle due to stress corrosion cracking, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff.

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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