# NTSB SEA79FYM39: Piper PA-22, N8540C, Vancouver, WA, June 9, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 9, 1979
- Place: Vancouver, WA · VANCOUVER, WA
- Location: 45.6387° N, 122.6615° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vancouver, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6387&lon=-122.6615&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 29, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FYM39
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYM39

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2446   79/6/9    VANCOUVER,WA        PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 41, 843
        TIME - 1308                    N8540C              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLARK COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VANCOUVER,WA                CHESTER,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- TREES,PWR LINES & HOUSES IN AREA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8540C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8540C-2018-05-21), registration cancelled 2018-05-21, S/N 22-1252, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Clark County

## 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 19790609024769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790609024769A), Jun 9, 1979: Piper PA22135, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Eng. Failed on takeoff. Water in fuel. Acft parked outside for 11 months with partially empty fuel tanks.

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.
