Piper PA28 accident near Compton, California, October 7, 2015
On October 7, 2015 at about 9:20 pm local time, a 1963 Piper PA28, registered N7506W, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Compton, California (Compton/Woodley airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 2015 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Compton, California · Compton/Woodley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 180, built 1963 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N7506W · no longer on the register · serial 28-1418
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot was conducting a local personal flight. The student reported that, during climb to cruise, the engine experienced a total loss of power about 400 ft above ground level. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power; however, he was unsuccessful and then initiated a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence. Based on fuel receipts, information provided by another pilot about the airplane's use after its refueling, and fuel performance calculations, it was determined that the airplane likely contained about 21 gallons of fuel before the accident flight; however, the fuel quantity in each tank at the time of the loss of engine power could not be determined because the fuel tanks were breached during the accident sequence. A postaccident examination of the engine and the airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (total) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 28.6 hours in all; 5.5 in this make and model; 8.1 in the last 90 days; 8.1 in the last 30 days; 6.3 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,759 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 1,759 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CPM Compton CA at 9:15 pm
- Destination: CPM Compton CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25L, 3,322 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KHHR, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.