# NTSB LAX87LA208: Piper PA-28-161, N38458, Turlock, CA, May 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1987, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Turlock, CA
- Coordinates: 37.469619, -120.849456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4696&lon=-120.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA208

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES INTO A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, WHERE UPON LANDING THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A BUSH. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE BROKE.  THERE WERE NO OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38458](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38458-1988-06-15), registration cancelled 1988-06-15, S/N 287716256 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7716256
- Airframe hours: 1882
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marshall, Wilbur L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1986, 7 hours before
- Departed: O15, TURLOCK, CA
- Airport: Turlock Airport, runway 31, 2,100 ×  ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total, 460 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 12 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 19870517038449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870517038449A), May 17, 1987: Piper PA28161, Turlock, CA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power and the aircraft overran the runway on landing. An exhaust valve failed from metal fatigue.

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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