# NTSB LAX84LA470: Piper PA-28-161, N29484, San Jose, CA, September 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1984, 17:31 local (Sep 3, 1984, 00:31 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.32933, -121.82933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3293&lon=-121.8293&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): 24392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA470
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA470

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - leak (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence

## Analysis

AT 100 TO 150 FT AGL ENG RPM DECREASED TO ABOUT 1,500. A TURN BACK TO THE ARPT WAS INITIATED. ON SHORT FINAL THE LEFT WINGTIP STRUCK A FENCE CAUSING THE ACFT TO CARTWHEEL TO A STOP ON ARPT PROPERTY. ENG EXAM REVEALED THAT THE #2 CYL WAS DEVELOPING NO COMPRESSION DUE TO A WARPED INTAKE VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29484](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29484-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 28-7916432, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA 28-161
- Airframe hours: 1883
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Forest Whitt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 31, 3,000 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,798 total, 23 in this make and model, 3,680 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV

## 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 19840902074949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840902074949A), Sep 2, 1984: Piper PA28161, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Prior engine power loss. Engine quit on takeoff to check engine operation. Exhaust valves were warped and glazed.

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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