# NTSB LAX87LA013: Piper PA-30, N7982Y, Oceanside, CA, October 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1986, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Oceanside, CA
- Location: 33.1959° N, 117.3795° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oceanside, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1959&lon=-117.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT STATED, THAT JUST SOUTH OF LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL ARPT, THE ACFT'S RIGHT ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. AT THE SAME TIME PWR IN THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN DECREASING, THEN THE PROP AUTOMATICALLY FEATHERED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A RE-START WITH NO SUCCESS. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT, THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT APRX 2 MILES OFF SHORE. POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING. THE OIL DRAIN PLUG ON THE RIGHT ENG WAS FOUND LOOSE AND THE QUICK DRAIN WAS OPEN AND UNLOCKED. NEITHER ENGINE SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HEAT DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7982Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7982Y-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 301083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1083
- Airframe hours: 4920
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Bill Boucher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1986, 2 hours before
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: SAN, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19861010048629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861010048629A), Oct 10, 1986: Piper PA30, Oceanside, CA, Destroyed. Engines gradually lost power on first flight after maintenance. Pilot ditched aircraft. Engine oil drains were open.

## Other investigations on N7982Y (2)

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 LAX85LA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA347), Aug 14, 1985: Piper PA-30 (N7982Y), Hollister, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC76FTK29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FTK29), Jun 13, 1976: Piper PA-30 (N7982Y), Rapid City, SD, 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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