# NTSB LAX97LA279: Piper PA-24-250, N711EW, San Diego, CA, August 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1997, 15:21 local (22:21 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.799003, -117.130241 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7990&lon=-117.1302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29867/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA279 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - residential area - object - vehicle ## Analysis The pilot reported that the aircraft had a partial power loss at 1,500 feet msl during the takeoff initial climb, followed by a complete loss of power approximately 2 minutes later. At the time of partial power loss, the pilot applied carburetor heat, turned on the electric fuel pump, switched from the left to the right fuel tank, and checked the position of the magneto switch. Following total loss of power, the pilot made a forced landing on a city street which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft and minor damage to three parked cars and a bus stop passenger bench. During the onsite investigation, both fuel tanks were found to contain 100LL aviation fuel, and fuel continuity was established between the fuel tanks and the engine carburetor. After transport to a local hanger, the engine was placed on a test stand where it started and ran normally with no apparent malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 1997, at 1521 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA24-250, N711EW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a city street in Kearny Mesa, a suburb of San Diego, California. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight departed Montgomery Field on a local flight and encountered loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The pilot stated in his report that the aircraft had a partial power loss at 1,500 feet msl during climbout, followed by a complete loss of power approximately 2 minutes later. At the time of partial power loss, the pilot applied carburetor heat, turned on the electric fuel pump, switched from the left to the right fuel tank, and checked the position of the magneto switch. Following total loss of power, the pilot stated that he made a forced landing on a city street which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft and minor damage to three parked cars and a bus stop passenger bench. During the on-site investigation by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors, both fuel tanks were found to contain 100LL aviation fuel, and fuel continuity was established between the fuel tanks and the engine carburetor. After transport to a local hanger, the engine was placed on a test stand where it started and ran normally with no apparent malfunctions. The magneto internal and external timing was then checked and found within the tolerance specified by the manufacturer and there was a spark across the gap of each sparkplug. According to the sparkplug color chart supplied by the engine manufacturer, plug color indicated that the engine had been running with a slightly rich mixture. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N711EW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711EW), registered now, S/N 24-2942, built 1961 (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: 24-2942 - Airframe hours: 3849 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A105 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alfred D. Trotter, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1997, 5 hours before - Departed: MYF, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,066 total, 1,765 in this make and model, 1,966 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °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 19970809021579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970809021579A), Aug 9, 1997: Piper PA24250, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Lost powre on climbout. Landed on city street. Cause power loss. Undetermined other than slightly rich mixture. 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.