# NTSB LAX83FUG13: Piper PA-32-300, N5208S, Palm Springs, CA, January 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1983, 12:54 local (20:54 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Location: 33.8297° N, 116.5067° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PALM SPRINGS INTL (PSP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8297&lon=-116.5067&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUG13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUG13

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING TAKEOFF AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AFTER HE WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF THE PILOT STARTED DOWN THE RUNWAY. AT THE RUNWAYS END ACCORDING TO A SURVIVING PASSENGER THE PILOT SAID WE ARE IN TROUBLE. HE CALLED THE TOWER TO SAY HE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM AND THEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RUNWAY OR TAXI STRIP. WITNESSES LOCATED ON THE GROUND INCLUDING THE SURVIVING WITNESS REPORTED THAT IT APPEARED THE AIRCRAFT STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. POST CRASH INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE OR ANY OF ITS ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5208S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5208S-1984-07-10), registration cancelled 1984-07-10, S/N 3240900 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40900
- Airframe hours: 1384
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger F. Magleby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1982, 36 hours before
- Departed: PSP, CA
- Destination: GUY, GUYMAS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PSP, Palm Springs, runway 12, 7,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 290 total, 290 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP

## 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 19830118002149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830118002149A), Jan 18, 1983: Piper PA32300, Palm Springs, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Witness reported engine quit on takeoff. Pilot stalled aircraft trying to turn back. No mechanical defects found.

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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