# NTSB LAX84LA074: Piper PA-28-181, N3204Q, Redding, CA, November 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1983, 08:09 local (16:09 UTC)
- Place: Redding, CA
- Coordinates: 40.600631, -122.46096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6006&lon=-122.4610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA074

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - engine accessories,engine starter - corroded (contributing factor)
  - engine accessories,engine starter - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO START THE ACFT, THE STARTER WOULD NOT 'TURN THE ENG.' THINKING THAT THE OIL HAD CONGEALED, HE EXITED THE ACFT & 'PULLED THE PROP.' AT THAT TIME, THE ENG STARTED & THE PLANE BEGAN TO MOVE. THE PLT JUMPED ON THE RIGHT WING & ATTEMPTED TO GET IN THE COCKPIT TO SHUT DOWN THE ENG; HOWEVER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A PIPER PA-23, N200SA BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE COCKPIT. THE PLT WAS 'KNOCKED OFF' OF THE RIGHT WING & WAS INJURED. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE STARTER GEAR WAS EXTENDED, THE RETAINER BUSHING WAS MISSING & CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE ROTATER SHAFT. ALSO, THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION, THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS FOUND ON 'HIGH' & THE THROTTLE WAS 3/4 OPEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3204Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3204Q-1994-11-01), registration cancelled 1994-11-01, S/N 287790442 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287790442
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Acacia Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983
- Destination: PDT, PORTLAND, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RDD, Redding Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,373 total, 403 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD

## 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 19831126058809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831126058809A), Nov 26, 1983: Piper PA28181, Redding, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot hand propped airplane, it started and collided with other parked aircraft.

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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