Piper PA28 accident near Santee, California, September 3, 2015
On September 3, 2015 at about 4:17 pm local time, a 1981 Piper PA28, registered N8441B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Santee, California (Gillespie Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots' failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the right magneto.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2015 · about 4:17 pm local time
- Place
- Santee, California · Gillespie Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 161, built 1981 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N8441B · no longer on the register · serial 28-8216005
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor and student pilot were conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. While on the upwind leg of the traffic pattern following the second takeoff, the airplane entered a steep left turn and impacted a residential area; a postimpact fire ensued. One witness reported that he heard the airplane's engine "shut off," and stated that it sounded as though the engine was "trying to restart." Investigators could not determine who was manipulating the flight controls at the time of the accident. Examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The engine examination revealed no internal mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The left magneto was not located. A teardown of the right magneto revealed that the internal components had been improperly assembled; the distributor gear electrode was not seated properly, and the distributor drive gear was stuck inside the magneto. Given the improper assembly of the right magneto it is likely that the magneto had failed to operate properly, which subsequently resulted in a rough running engine and a partial loss of engine power. It is likely that the flight instructor and student were distracted by the partial loss of engine power, and during the turn toward the open field, lost aircraft control and stalled the airplane, and subsequently hit flat terrain.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Abrupt maneuver during initial climb
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Instructor/check pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Student/instructed pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,050 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 68 hours in all; 68 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,989 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 2, 2015; 69 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 7,374 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SEE El Cajon CA
- Destination: SEE El Cajon CA
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,100 ft; clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:20 pm from KSEE, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N8441B the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.