# NTSB LAX83LA049: Piper PA-34-200T, N8292Y, Palo Alto, CA, December 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1982, 19:14 local (Dec 3, 1982, 03:14 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Location: 37.4611° N, 122.1150° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PALO ALTO (PAO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4611&lon=-122.1150&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,cargo/baggage - undetermined (cause)
  - door,cargo/baggage - open
- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 6 TO 10 FT AGL, SOMETHING HIT THE LEFT PROPELLER AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE. HE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT ASSUMED THE PLANE HAD STRUCK A LARGE BIRD. DARKNESS AND THE BAGGAGE DOOR WERE OBSTRUCTING THE PILOT'S VIEW. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND TOUCHED DOWN WITH ABOUT 300 FT OF THE RUNWAY REMAINING. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED OFF THE RUNWAY, WENT OVER A LOW MOUND AND DOWN A STEEP INCLINE INTO A MUDFLAT, THEN CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 12 TO 18 INCHES OF WATER. THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR WAS FOUND OPEN WITH THE LATCH LOCKED AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE LOCKED POSITION. NO EVIDENCE OF A BIRD STRIKE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8292Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8170032
- Airframe hours: 355
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Cimarron Aviation
- Registered owner: Cimarron Aviation
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Destination: SLE, SALEM, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 12, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 866 total, 85 in this make and model, 810 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19821202064229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821202064229A), Dec 2, 1982: Piper PA34200T, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck a embankment off end of runway on takeoff. Pilot reported bird strike. No evidence of a bird strike

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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