# NTSB LAX84FA144: Piper PA-32-300, N4012R, Oxnard, CA, January 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1984, 21:42 local (Jan 19, 1984, 05:42 UTC)
- Place: Oxnard, CA
- Coordinates: 34.189956, -119.170036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1900&lon=-119.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH IRRIGATION PIPES WHICH CRISS-CROSSED A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A NIGHT CRUISE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION AND NOFUEL WAS IN THE LINES FROM THE SPIDER TO THE CYLINDERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4012R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4012R-1984-06-06), registration cancelled 1984-06-06, S/N 32-40486, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40486
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C.F. Kellner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1983, 2,252 hours before
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 238 total, 8 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NTD, 8 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 19840118001519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840118001519A), Jan 18, 1984: Piper PA32300, Oxnard, CA, Destroyed. Indicates fuel selected to off in error after a misfire. Stalled on forced landing. Struck irrigation pipes in field.

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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