# NTSB LAX87LA182: Piper PA-32-300, N15259, Lincoln, CA, April 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1987, 08:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, CA
- Coordinates: 38.929458, -121.250434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9295&lon=-121.2504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - starting procedure - attempted, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AFTER A LOSS OF PWR DURING T/O CLIMB AT APRX 350 TO 400 FT AGL. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE LOSS OF PWR AS 'LIKE TAKING THE THROTTLE AND PULLING OFF IN A RAPID MOTION.' HE NOTICED DURING HIS PREFLT CHECK THAT THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK (RMT) WAS LIGHTER BLUE IN COLOR THAN THAT OF THE LEFT MAIN TANK (LMT). HE TOOK 2 SAMPLES FROM THE RMT DURING THE PREFLT AND DURING THE ENG RUN-UP, RAN THE ENG 5 ADD MIN UNTIL ALL THE GAUGES WERE 'IN THE GREEN.' THE ACFT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE RMT POSITION. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A RESTART WHILE EXECUTING A 180 DEGREE TURN TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE INDICATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RMT TO THE LMT AND CHECKED THAT THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS STILL ON. THE RMT WAS RUPTURED AS RESULT OF THE IMPACT AND ALL THE FUEL ESCAPED INTO THE DITCH. THE ENG WAS EXAMINED AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15259](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15259-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 32-7340026, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327340026
- Airframe hours: 1228
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vukich, Ronald R.
- Registered owner: Smith, Huey P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1986, 11 hours before
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: 051, Lincoln Muni., runway 33, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,728 total, 8 in this make and model, 8,520 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCC

## 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 19870419081529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870419081529A), Apr 19, 1987: Piper PA32300, Lincoln, CA, Substantial damage. Loss of power on climb. Attempted to return to airport. Landed downwind next to runway. Collided with a ditch.

## Other investigations on N15259 (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 LAX85LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA248), May 5, 1985: Piper PA-32-300 (N15259), Baker, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.