# NTSB LAX83LA016: Piper PA-23-250, N4729P, Sun City, CA, October 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1982, 20:41 local (Oct 20, 1982, 03:41 UTC)
- Place: Sun City, CA
- Location: 33.7092° N, 117.1973° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sun City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7092&lon=-117.1973&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, unknown
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A WHEELS UP LANDING ON HAWN AVENUE IN SUN CITY, CA AND ABANDONED THE AIRCRAFT. DURING THE LANDING, BOTH WING TIPS STRUCK SIGN POSTS AND WERE DAMAGED. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT AFTER IT HAD CRASHED, BUT ABOUT 650 LBS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4729P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4729P-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 27-258, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-258
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Mr. & Mrs. W.L. Davis
- Registered owner: Mr. & Mrs. W.L. Davis

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 142 °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 19821019056359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821019056359A), Oct 19, 1982: Piper PA23250, Sun City, CA, Substantial damage. Abandoned drug laden aircraft had landed gear up on a city street. No fuel on board. Pilot located and jailed.

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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