# NTSB SEA84LA200: Piper PA-28-180, N8482W, Boulder City, NV, September 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1984, 06:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Boulder City, NV
- Coordinates: 35.98965, -114.810287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9896&lon=-114.8103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - worn (contributing factor)
  - airport/facilities - uphill (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

PLT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD FOLLOWING A LOSS OF POWER DURING INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. POST ACCIDNET INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LARGE QUANTITY OF WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED AT AN ARPT WITH 1/2 FULL FUEL TANKS. THE TIE DOWN AREA HAS A 2.5% GRADIENT, PLACING THE ACFT WITH A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE WHERE IT WAS PARKED. A MAJOR STORM PASSED THROUGH THE AREA A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FUEL FILLER CAPS GASKETS WERE FOUND BRITTLE AND AGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8482W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8482W-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 28-2726, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2802726
- Airframe hours: 2723
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles F. Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BLD, BOULDER CITY, NV
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 16 nm away

## 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 19840927051649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840927051649A), Sep 27, 1984: Piper PA28180, Boulder City, NV, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed in desert terrain. Water in fuel. Sat out in rain with leaky fuel caps.

## Other investigations on N8482W (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK71DVD50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71DVD50), Jun 12, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N8482W), Novato, CA, substantial damage

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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