Aviation Crash Map

Piper PA-28-161 N8163F

30 January 1989 · San Martin, California, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 30 January 1989 at about 23:45 local time, a Piper PA-28-161 registered N8163F, operated by Condor Aviation, was involved in an accident near San Martin, California, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 23:45
Classification
Accident
Location
San Martin, California, United States
Nearest airport
South County (Q99)
Coordinates
37.0995, -121.5999
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Registration
N8163F
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Condor Aviation
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
San Martin → Oceano
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
LAX89LA098

People

4 people had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
4 0 0 4 0

Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A LOOSE SPARK PLUG WITH THE REMINAING PLUGS FOULED WITH CARBON DEPOSITS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RELAND AT THE AIRPORT, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A SPARK PLUG WAS LOOSE. THE REMAINING PLUGS WERE SEVERELY LEAD AND CARBON FOULED. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST RUN AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-28 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
9 Jul 1989 Piper PA-28-161
N2752M
Beverly, Massachusetts, United States
no coordinates
Beverly Flight Center, Inc. Minor injuries -
9 Oct 1989 Piper PA-28
N6340R
Delavan, Minnesota, United States - Fatal 2
24 Oct 1989 Piper PA-28-161
N36163
Elkader, Iowa, United States Pritts Aviation Fatal 2
21 Jan 1989 Piper PA-28-180
N16375
Chicago, Illinois, United States Michael J. Belica Fatal 2
14 Jul 1989 Piper PA-28-160
N5913W
Hammond, New York, United States - Minor injuries -
9 Jun 1989 Piper PA-28-180
N33320
Ashland, Virginia, United States
no coordinates
A & S Flying Services Fatal 1

All 9,402 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
15 Sep 1989 Piper PA-31-350
N70PE
Ontario, California, United States Ameriflight Fatal 1
26 Sep 1989 Piper PA-25-235
N4450Y
Warner Springs, California, United States - No injuries -
19 Sep 1989 Cessna 310K
N6958L
Ojai, California, United States - Fatal 2
30 Sep 1989 Cessna 182
N96642
Eureka, California, United States Nothern Air No injuries -
30 Sep 1989 Cessna 152
N6422M
Lancaster, California, United States West Coast Air Center Fatal 2
29 Sep 1989 Bellanca 17-30A
N8272R
Palo Alto, California, United States Klouda, Linda K. Minor injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States