# NTSB LAX88LA267: Piper PA-24-250, N6441P, Chico, CA, July 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1988, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Coordinates: 39.739326, -121.830856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7393&lon=-121.8309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA267

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil hose - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - no pressure (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE SHORT OF THE AIRPORT WHERE THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING ROLL. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE OIL COOLER HOSE BROKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6441P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6441P-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 24-1554, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1554
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Purdon, William M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RBL, REDBLUFF, CA
- Destination: CIC, CHICO, CA
- Airport: CIC, Chico

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 13,600 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CIC

## 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 19880721044949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880721044949A), Jul 21, 1988: Piper PA24250, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Loss of oil loud bang and engine lost power. Crash landed 1 mile short of airport. Oil cooler hose had ruptured.

## Other investigations on N6441P (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 OAK77DVG49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVG49), Jun 29, 1977: Piper PA-24 (N6441P), Oroville, 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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