# NTSB LAX87FA088: Piper PA-24-180, N5982P, Oceano, CA, January 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1987, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Oceano, CA
- Coordinates: 35.03952, -120.619781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0395&lon=-120.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE SURVIVING PAX (S/P) NOTICED THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING ALT. SHE HEARD THE PLT COMMENT ABOUT A 'CLICKING NOISE IN THE LEFT WING' WHICH SHE ALSO HEARD & SAID SOUNDED LIKE METAL CLICKING TOGETHER. GROUND WITNESSES NOTICED A CHANGE IN ENG SOUND. SEVERAL RPRTD AN INTERRUPTION OF ENG PWR, BUT OTHERS (INCLUDING THE S/P) DID NOT RPRT A A PWR LOSS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 600 YDS SSE FM THE APCH END OF RWY 29. DRG IMPACT, THE LEFT WING & NOSE WERE EXTENSIVELY DMGD. AFTER IMPACT, THE ACFT TRAVELED ONLY ABOUT 37' BEFORE COMING TO REST. AN EXAM REVEALED THE #4 EXHAUST PIPE FAILED NEXT TO THE WELDED FLANGE THAT ATTACHED THE PIPE TO THE EXHAUST PORT. THE FRACTURES WERE DISCOLORED BY EXHAUST GASES & PEENED BY REPEATED CTC WITH THE MATING SURFACES, MAKING EVALUATION DIFFICULT. MUCH OF THE FRACTURE WAS 90 DEG TO THE PIPE SURFACE (TYPICAL OF FATIGUE). THE FLANGE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY PUTTING A SLEEVE OF MATERIAL ARND THE PIPE & WELDING IT TO THE FLANGE. SOME AREAS OF THE REPAIR WELD DID NOT ADHERE TO THE SLEEVE OR FLANGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5982P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5982P-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 24-1075, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (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: 241075
- Airframe hours: 3279
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Christopher C. Cormier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1986, 59 hours before
- Departed: L52
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Airport: L52, Oceano, runway 29, 2,335 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 256 total, 120 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMX, 11 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 19870117000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870117000589A), Jan 17, 1987: Piper PA24, Oceano, CA, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Engine exhaust flange broke off on climbout. Pilot heard noise turned back too low grazed trees flew into ground.

## Other investigations on N5982P (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 LAX66D0122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66D0122), Sep 11, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N5982P), Fullerton, 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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