Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near San Diego, California, September 12, 1986
On September 12, 1986 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registered N39695, was substantially damaged in an accident near San Diego, California (Montgomery airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 1986 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- San Diego, California · Montgomery · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · all PA-32RT-300Ts on the register
- Registration
- N39695 · no longer on the register · serial 32R7887150
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A PWR LOSS DURING INITIAL CLIMB. DURING THE ENSUING FORCED LNDG THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE. TO #4 CYL FUEL INJECTOR LINE HAD BECOM DISCONNECTED. THE 915 HR ENG HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 36 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACC.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 104 in the last 90 days; 361 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 915 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 14, 1986; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TI0-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Southern Wings, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA at 9:42 pm
- Destination: CRQ Carlsbad CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,399 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.