# NTSB LAX98LA186: Piper PA-28-181, N84451, El Cajon, CA, June 7, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1998, 11:17 local (18:17 UTC)
- Place: El Cajon, CA
- Coordinates: 32.790721, -116.959945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7907&lon=-116.9599&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 August 3, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30111/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA186

## Probable cause

The certified flight instructor's inadequate preflight which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.  A related factor was the unsuitable terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,gascolator - unlocked
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The instructor pilot was departing with two beginning student pilots for a local area flight.  The instructor stated that during the initial climb, about 50 to 100 feet above ground level, the engine lost power and he performed a forced landing beyond the departure end of the runway.  The airplane was substantially damaged during the forced landing. According to an FAA inspector on scene, during the preflight the fuel gascolator drain may have been left open during the preflight.  The flight instructor was counseled by the FAA on preflight procedures.

## Factual narrative

On June 7, 1998, at 1117 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N84451, operated by Golden State Aviation of San Diego, California, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at El Cajon, California.  Neither the instructor pilot nor the two dual student pilots were injured.  The aircraft was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight.

The instructor pilot was departing with two beginning student pilots for a local area flight.  He stated that during a departure climbout from runway 27L, about 50 to 100 feet agl, the engine quit and he force landed beyond the runway end.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on-scene, the fuel sump drain may have been left open during the preflight causing fuel starvation during climb.  No other discrepancies were found with the airplane by the inspector.  The flight instructor was counseled by the FAA regarding preflight procedures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84451](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84451-1998-10-30), registration cancelled 1998-10-30, S/N 288290035 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8290035
- Airframe hours: 5700
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Golden State Aviation
- Registered owner: Denis M. Breslin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SEE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 800 total, 40 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE

## 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 19980607012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980607012559A), Jun 7, 1998: Piper PA28181, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. Acft took off and climbed to approx 150 feet AGL at which point began to lose power, acft to land in a grassy area. (-23) on June 7, 1998, at 1117 hours PDT, a…

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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