# NTSB LAX88FA327: Piper PA-32-260, N3451W, Fullerton, CA, September 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1988, 06:36 local (13:36 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8857° N, 117.9280° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fullerton, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8857&lon=-117.9280&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA327

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE ACFT FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE PLT ALSO FAILED TO ABOUT THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,strainer - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command
  - procedures/directives - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-32-260, THAT HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO A MODEL PA-32-300 BY EXCHANGING THE ENGINE, TAXIED TO THE END OF A 3121 FOOT RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF WITH CALM WIND CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT LOAD CONSISTED OF FULL FUEL TANKS, PILOT AND PASSENGER, AND 30 POUNDS OF LUGGAGE. A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL APPROXIMATELY 2850 FEET BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON A FLAT ROOF OF A COMMERICAL BUILDING, COLLIDED WITH THE PARAPET AND CRASHED INTO THE STREET BELOW. THE POST CRASH ENGINE EXAM REVEALED RUST PARTICLES AND WATER THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3451W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3451W-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 32319 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32319
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Club Of Fullerton
- Registered owner: Bryant, Patrick W.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1988, 32 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton Muni, runway 6, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,375 total, 20 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 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 19880923040139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880923040139A), Sep 23, 1988: Piper STCPA32, Fullerton, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit at 100 ft. hit building. Rust in fuel. Magneto cross firing.

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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