# NTSB LAX92LA323: Piper PA-28-161, N8078H, Ravendale, CA, July 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1992, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Ravendale, CA
- Coordinates: 40.729442, -120.400283 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7294&lon=-120.4003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA323

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  THE SHORT LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACHIEVED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET AGL IN THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP PRIOR TO OVER RUNNING THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDING WITH A FENCE. THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE WERE EXAMINED BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS WHO REPORTED FINDING NO ENGINE OR SYSTEM ABNORMALITY TO EXPLAIN THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8078H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8078H-1995-02-27), registration cancelled 1995-02-27, S/N 288016048 (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: 28-8016048
- Airframe hours: 4127
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Palomar Flight
- Registered owner: Gerrit J. Vreeken
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1992, 94 hours before
- Departed: 039
- Destination: SVE, SUSANVILLE, CA
- Airport: O39, Ravendale, runway 17, 2,970 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,694 total, 9 in this make and model, 7,640 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19920730028249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920730028249A), Jul 30, 1992: Piper PA28161, Ravendale, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climbout. Relanded on runway. Ran off end and collided with a fence. No engine defects noted.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.