# NTSB LAX84FA407: Piper PA-32-300, N8632N, Goleta, CA, July 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1984, 12:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.449306, -119.80088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4493&lon=-119.8009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 83-22-04](https://openairdocs.org/ad/83-22-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA407
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA407

## 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, cruise
  - fuel system,injector - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,injector - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RADIOED TO THE SANTA BARBARA TOWER THAT HE WAS 'WITHOUT POWER' & WAS GOING TO ATTEMPT TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. HOWEVER, DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES APRX 50 FT SHORT OF THE FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE FUEL DIAPHRAM STEM, PN 2539806, IN THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE, AD 83-22-04, AMENDMENT 39-4748, THAT PERTAINED TO THIS PART, HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH ON THE PREVIOUS 100 HOUR INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8632N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8632N-1999-01-28), registration cancelled 1999-01-28, S/N 32-7140025 (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: 7140025
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K15A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rarig Contstruction Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 9, 1984
- Departed: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 7 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 19840721033729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840721033729A), Jul 21, 1984: Piper PA32300, Goleta, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost power, emergency landing, hit trees. Fuel injector diaphragm stem broken. AD not complied with last 100 hour.

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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