# NTSB LAX90LA046: Piper PA-32-437, N3350W, Hayward, CA, December 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1989, 14:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.62968, -122.040573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6297&lon=-122.0406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA046

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO WATER IN FUEL THAT WAS NOT DISCOVERED BY THE PILOT DURING HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

PILOT REPORTED ALL TANKS WERE DRAINED PRIOR TO ENGINE START. POWER LOSS OCCURRED RIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF; LANDED ADJACENT TO RUNWAY DAMAGING GEAR AND PROP. PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT APPARENTLY THE BLUE SEEN IN THE FUEL SAMPLE WAS A REFLECTION OF SKY COLORING - NOT FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3350W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-437
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING EO-540-E4B5 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leroy Pierce
- Destination: LIVERMORE, CA
- Airport: HWD, Hayward, runway 28R, 3,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,550 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891202053269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891202053269A), Dec 2, 1989: Piper PA32260, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Crash landed off airport. Found water in fuel.

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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