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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 17, 1985 · Piper PA-28-235 · N15548

Monterey, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Monterey, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N15548
Operator
Monterey Navy Flying Club
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA321

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A TRAINING FLIGHT TO PRACTICE HOLDING OVER A VOR INTERSECTION 12 MILES OFF SHORE. APPROXIMATELY 12MINUTES AFTER TAKE OFF THE PILOT DECLARED 'MAYDAY,ROUGH ENGINE', TO THE MONTEREY,CALFORNIA CONTROL TOWER CONTROL SPECIALIST. THE CONTROL SEPCIALIST OBSERVED THE ACFTS RADAR TARGET VANISH FROM HIS BRITE TUBE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1300 FEET. THE COAST GUARD RECOVERED A FEW PIECES OF DEBRIS FROM THE ACFT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A TRAINING FLIGHT TO PRACTICE HOLDING OVER A VOR INTERSECTION 12 MILES OFF SHORE. APPROXIMATELY 12MINUTES AFTER TAKE OFF THE PILOT DECLARED 'MAYDAY,ROUGH ENGINE', TO THE MONTEREY,CALFORNIA CONTROL TOWER CONTROL SPECIALIST. THE CONTROL SEPCIALIST OBSERVED THE ACFTS RADAR TARGET VANISH FROM HIS BRITE TUBE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1300 FEET. THE COAST GUARD RECOVERED A FEW PIECES OF DEBRIS FROM THE ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:52 PDT
Nearest Airport17nm W
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN15548
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMonterey Navy Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data