# NTSB LAX84LA370: Piper PA-28R-200, N4820T, Gila Bend, AZ, June 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1984, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.820106, -111.900978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8201&lon=-111.9010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA370
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA370

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - overspeed
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD AFTER THE PLT SHUT DOWN THE ENG DUE TO A 'RUN-AWAY' PROP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK A REFLECTOR POST FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING STRIKING A SIGN POST. AN ENG OVERHAUL & AN ANNUAL INSPECTION HAD BEEN COMPLETED 20 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.DURING AN EXAM AFTER THE ACCIDENT, NO OIL WAS FOUND IN THE ENG AND THE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING. THE DRAIN PLUG HAD NOT BEEN SAFETY WIRED AS REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4820T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4820T-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 28R-7235116, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7235116
- Airframe hours: 4821
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Nash
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1984, 26 hours before
- Departed: DMN, DEMING, NM
- Destination: L35, BIG BEAR, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 760 total, 114 in this make and model, 669 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GBN, 2 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 19840626026729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840626026729A), Jun 26, 1984: Piper PA28R200, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit posts on side of road during emergency landing after engine shut down because oil drain plug came out.

## Other investigations on N4820T (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 LAX93LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA229), May 27, 1993: Piper PA-28R-200 (N4820T), Hesperia, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST VALVE DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION.

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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