# NTSB LAX83FA422: Piper PA-28R-200, N56283, Calexico, CA, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Calexico, CA
- Coordinates: 32.689456, -115.509704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6895&lon=-115.5097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA422
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA422

## 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
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO MISS AT APRX 300 FT AGL & HE FELT A DEFINITE LOSS OF POWER. HE TRIED TO RAISE THE GEAR, BUT THE AIRSPEED WAS BELOW THE AUTOMATIC GEAR EXTENSTION SPEED, SO THE GEAR DID NOT RETRACT. HE REPOSITIONED THE GEAR HANDLE TO THE DOWN POSITON & THE WARNING HORN, WHICH HAD SOUNDED, STOPPED. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO FLY THE ACFT OVER SOME WIRES, BUT COULD NOT GET THE ACFT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A LANDING IN A SOFT FARM FIELD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AT A UNION JOINT IN THE LINE FROM THE LEFT WING. NO OTHER PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS EVIDENT. HOWEVER, THE GROSS WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN APRX 87 LBS OVER THE MAX LIMIT. ALSO, THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APRX 3500 FT (TEMP ABOUT 110 DEG).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56283](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56283), registered now, S/N 28R-7335399, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7335-399
- Airframe hours: 4649
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mr. Leon J. Felch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1983, 16 hours before
- Destination: LHU, LAKE HAVASUE, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CYL, Calexico, runway 26, 4,330 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 545 total, 116 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 109 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 12 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 19830904046189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904046189A), Sep 4, 1983: Piper PA28R200, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. Over gross with high humidity and density altitude factor on takeoff. Not enough power to stay airborne.

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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