# NTSB LAX83LA143: Piper PA-36-285, N400HP, Tipton, CA, March 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1983, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Tipton, CA
- Coordinates: 35.959136, -118.920707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9591&lon=-118.9207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA143

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,clamp - fatigue (cause)
  - ignition system,ignition lead - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - load jettison - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, AT APRX 80 FT AGL, THE ENG BACKFIRED THEN LOST POWER. THE PLT CHOSE AN OPEN FIELD FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING WHILE TRYING TO DUMP THE LOAD. WHILE LANDING, THE ACFT BOUNCED, ROLLED ABOUT 600 FT, THEN HIT A DIRT BERM & SUBSEQUENTLY CAME TO REST IN A NOSE DOWN POSITION. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN EXHAUST STACK BRACKET HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE & ALLOWED THE EXHAUST GASES TO MELT THE P-LEADS TO THE MAGNETOS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400HP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400HP-1994-03-16), registration cancelled 1994-03-16, S/N 367560090 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7560090
- Airframe hours: 12625
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 AIB 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Cal-Ag-Aero
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 9, 1982, 109 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,471 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 2,325 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS, 17 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 19830316066999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830316066999A), Mar 16, 1983: Piper PA36285, Tipton, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed off airport. Exhaust stack bracket failed. Hot exhaust melted magneto p leads

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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