# NTSB LAX85LA158: Piper PA-18-180, N4363Z, Fremont, CA, February 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1985, 10:36 local (18:36 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.910854, -122.299308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9109&lon=-122.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND ROUGH TERRAIN DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT STATED THAT TWO PWR INTERRUPTIONS OCCURRED DURING THE TAKEOFF BEFORE THE FINAL PWR LOSS AND HE SUSPECTED FUEL CONTAMINATION AS THE PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4363Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4363Z), registered now, S/N 18-8682, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8682
- Airframe hours: 11551
- Engines: LYCOMING O-316-A3A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bret Willat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1984
- Departed: 8Q7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,835 total, 77 in this make and model, 6,711 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N4363Z (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 OAK75DVD54](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DVD54), Jun 17, 1975: Piper PA-18 (N4363Z), Fremont, CA, 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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