# NTSB LAX84FA463: Piper PA-28-180, N7916W, Bakersfield, CA, August 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1984, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.200954, -118.859809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2010&lon=-118.8598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA463
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA463

## 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
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, dual student (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT LANDED LONG ON AN INTENDED TOUCH AND GO LANDING AND THEREFORE, ROLLED OUT TO A FULL STOP ON RWY 31. A 180 DEG TURN WAS MADE AT THE END IN ORDER TO TAKEOFF ON RWY 13. PRIOR TO INITIATING THE TAKEOFF, ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT PLT, HE PLACED THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE RIGHT TANK POSITION SINCE IT WAS THE FULLEST OF THE 2 TANKS. VERY SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG LOST POWER. THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT IN THE LEFT SEAT TO SWITCH TANKS, WHICH HE DID. WITH THE CFI TAKING CONTROL OF THE ACFT A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A  FIELD ROLLING THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. NEITHER PLT CHANGED THE POSITION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT 'OFF' POSITION. THE FUEL SELECTOR HAD 4 POSITIONS, LEFT & RIGHT AT THE 10 O'CLOCK AND 2 O'CLOCK POSITIONS AND 2 'OFF' AT THE 4 O'CLOCK AND 8 O'CLOCK. EITHER OFF SETTING CAN BE SELECTED FROM ANY OTHER POSITION. THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL AND THE LEFT CONTAINED 1 GAL. NO FUEL REMAINED IN THE ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP OUTPUT LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7916W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7916W-2016-01-28), registration cancelled 2016-01-28, S/N 28-1952, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1952
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Patrick Withers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: VGT, N. LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: L-45, Bakersfield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19840829075719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840829075719A), Aug 29, 1984: Piper PA28180, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Student said he switched to fullest tank before takeoff. Engine quit on takeoff. Selector in off position.

## Other investigations on N7916W (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 NYC67D0636](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0636), Apr 29, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N7916W), Northampton, MA, 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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