# NTSB LAX83LA432: Piper PA23-150, N2180P, San Diego, CA, September 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 16:49 local (23:49 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.799373, -117.130424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7994&lon=-117.1304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA432
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA432

## 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)
  - touch-and-go - performed, dual student
  - fuel system,carburetor - corroded
  - fuel system,carburetor - binding(mechanical)
  - engine assembly - vibration
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,total
  - fluid,oil - leak
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE PRACTICING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS. DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE 4TH TOUCH & GO, THE LEFT ENG LOST POWER WHILE CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 200 FT AGL. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE STUDENT SAW OIL COMING FROM THE LEFT ENG. THE CFI FEATHERED THE LEFT ENG, & AT THAT TIME, THE ACFT WAS VIBRATING & INDICATING 100 MPH. THE CFI LOWERED THE NOSE TO MAINTAIN THE BEST SINGLE ENG RATE OF CLIMB SPEED. HOWEVER, AT THAT SPEED, THE ACFT WAS IN A DESCENT. THE CFI CONTINUED OVER ROUGH TERRAIN TOWARD POWER LINES UNTIL HE REALIZED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO FLY, THEN TURNED TO THE MOST SUITABLE TERRAIN & CRASH LANDED. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT ENG REVEALED A BROKEN OIL COOLER LINE. HOWEVER, 4 QTS OF OIL WAS STILL REMAINING & THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE LOSS OF OIL HAD CAUSED THE ENG FAILURE. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE HEAVILY SOOTED, WHICH WAS INDICATIVE OF AN EXTREMELY RICH MIXTURE. ROUGH SPOTS WERE FOUND ON THE CARBURETOR FLOAT CHAMBER NEEDLE VLV, WHICH REPORTEDLY COULD HAVE ALLOWED THE VLV TO STICK OPEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2180P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2180P-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 23-789, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA23-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23789
- Airframe hours: 3368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Coronado Racing Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1983, 7 hours before
- Airport: SDM, Brown Field, runway 26R, 7,999 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,008 total, 14 in this make and model, 808 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDM, 1 nm away

## Other investigations on N2180P (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC66D0244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0244), Sep 14, 1965: Piper PA-23 (N2180P), Springfield, MO, substantial damage

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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