# NTSB LAX83LA071: Piper PA-24-250, N5730P, El Cajon, CA, January 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1983, 08:02 local (16:02 UTC)
- Place: El Cajon, CA
- Coordinates: 32.790222, -116.95948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7902&lon=-116.9595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 300 FT AGL, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT TURNED & LANDED WHEELS-UP ON AN UNIMPROVED GRASS AREA ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE ARPT. AN EXAM OF THE ENG & FUEL SYSTEMS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5730P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5730P-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 24-804, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-804
- Airframe hours: 3568
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard A Lucas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1982
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: SEE, Gillespie, runway 27R, 5,341 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,542 total, 2,352 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE

## 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 19830115000989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830115000989A), Jan 15, 1983: Piper PA24250, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. Crash landed gear up off airport when engine quit on takeoff. Cause unknown. Possible water in fuel.

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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