# NTSB LAX83LA178: Piper PA 32-300, N15278, San Luis Obispo, CA, April 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1983, 16:35 local (Apr 6, 1983, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Location: 35.2373° N, 120.6426° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY RGNL (SBP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2373&lon=-120.6426&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): 23668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Undershoot, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED RWY 29, & AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL THE ENG WAS HEARD TO SPUTTER & SURGE. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED IN A STEEP LEFT BANK TOWARD RWY 7. THE WINGS LEVELED JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT ABOUT 100 FT SHORT OF RWY 7. ARPT POLICE PERSONNEL INSPECTED THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT & FOUND THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TIP TANK. THE LEFT TIP TANK WAS EMPTY & BOTH MAINS WERE FULL. THE PLT STATED HE HAD SWITCHED THE FUEL TANK TO LEFT MAIN PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15278 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7340030
- Airframe hours: 2134
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flight East
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1982, 9 hours before
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SBP, San Luis Obispo, runway 7, 4,000 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,843 total, 16 in this make and model, 2,844 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBP

## 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 19830405013989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830405013989A), Apr 5, 1983: Piper PA32300, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Made severe impact with ground from high sink rate trying to return. Fuel on empty tank.

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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