# NTSB LAX90LA263: Piper PA-28-140, N1570J, Clarksburg, CA, July 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1990, 07:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Clarksburg, CA
- Coordinates: 38.369895, -121.5802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3699&lon=-121.5802&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 March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA263

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S MUFFLER DURING INITIAL CLIMB.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,muffler - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,muffler - blocked(partial) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE OWNER-OPERATOR OF A 22-YEAR OLD AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF FROM A 2100-FOOT-LONG TURF AIRSTRIP. HE HAD USED 25 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND HAD ANTICIPATED BEING AIRBORNE BEFORE REACHING THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE GAINED ABOUT 20 FEET OF ALTITUDE, LOST ENGINE POWER AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. AN EXAM OF THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM REVEALED THE MUFFLER WAS DETERIORATED. ITS INNER TUBE (CORE) HAD DISLODGED AND WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE ENGINE'S EXHAUST. THIS RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1570J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1570J-1992-08-19), registration cancelled 1992-08-19, S/N 2824815 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-24815
- Airframe hours: 4718
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Budge, James C
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1990, 18 hours before
- Airport: C14, Clarksburg, runway 9, 2,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 236 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19900721027579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900721027579A), Jul 21, 1990: Piper PA28140, Clarksburg, CA, Substantial damage. Unable full power on takeoff. Settled into terrain off end runway. Muffler core had deteriorated blocked exhaust.

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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