# NTSB LAX83FUJ13: Piper PA-28R-180, N4579J, Flagstaff, AZ, April 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1983, 15:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.23019, -111.719192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2302&lon=-111.7192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUJ13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUJ13

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPARK PLUGS LOADING UP BEFORE HE DEPARTED SACRAMENTO, CA ON A X-COUNTRY & THER MAGNETO (MAG) HAD BEEN OVERHAULED BEFORE HE DEPARTED. HE STATED THE ENG RAN WELL 'EXCEPT FOR BRIEF PLUG LOAD (ONE CYL)CLEARED BY LEANING MIXTURE.' EN ROUTE STOPS WERE MADE AT TEHACHAPI, CA & FLAGSTAFF, AZ FOR FUEL. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING TAKEOFF AT FLAGSTAFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 100 FT AGL. HOWEVER, WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENG WAS MISSING ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL. ONE WITNESS, A CFI, STATED THAT FROM WHERE HE 1ST HEARD THE ENG, IT WAS MISSING STEADILY, BUT THE ACFTCONTINUED ON THE TAKEOFF & ROLLED APRX ANOTHER 1500 FT BEFORE THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH THE ENG STILL MISSING. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT SETTLED, HIT TREETOPS & CRASHED. THE R MAG WAS FOUND AT 3 DEG BEFORE-TOP-DEAD-CENTER (BTDC). HOWEVER, THERE WERE SCRAPE MARKS WHERE IT HAD ROTATED; THE RETAINING NUTS WERE SNUG, BUT NO TIGHT. ALSO, THE LEFT MAG WAS IN ITS PROPER POSITION TO FIRE AT 25 DEG BTDC. THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 7012 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4579J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4579J-1983-11-18), registration cancelled 1983-11-18, S/N 28R-30447, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-30447
- Airframe hours: 4415
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robin D. Seaton
- Registered owner: Emmett Mccain,Ralph D Behymer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1982, 67 hours before
- Departed: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUEQUERQUE, NM
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam, runway 3, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 478 total, 101 in this make and model, 478 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 2 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 19830416014349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830416014349A), Apr 16, 1983: Piper PA28R180, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing shortly after takeoff. Magento malfunction caused power loss.

## Other investigations on N4579J (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 LAX73DUJ15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUJ15), Aug 15, 1972: Piper PA-28R (N4579J), Glendale, AZ, substantial damage

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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