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NTSB Report
July 28, 1984 · Piper PA-23-160 · N4291P
Garberville, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 28, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Garberville, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-160
Tail Number
N4291P
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FA447
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & GROUND DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE WX IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR SINCE THE WX WAS VMC AT THE TIME & PLACE OF THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS A MOONLESS NIGHT AND THE AREAOF THE CRASH SUGGESTED THE FLT PATH WAS DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH DESTINATION BUT OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE ACFT BY VIRTUE OFITS LOCATION WAS FOLLOWING A NORMAL FLT PROFILE AND NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO SUGGEST ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. RELATIVES OF THE PLT LOCATED THE WRECKAGE BY AERIAL SEARCH ON 8/22/84 AT THE 2900 FT LEVEL (MSL) OF A 3101 FT MOUNTAIN APRX 5 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE ARPT ON A MAGNETIC BEARING OF 120 DEGREES. THE CRASH & POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED ALL POSSIBILITIES OF TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS. THE PLT HAS FLOWN THIS ROUTE AT NIGHT SEVERAL TIMES.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & GROUND DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE WX IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR SINCE THE WX WAS VMC AT THE TIME & PLACE OF THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS A MOONLESS NIGHT AND THE AREAOF THE CRASH SUGGESTED THE FLT PATH WAS DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH DESTINATION BUT OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE ACFT BY VIRTUE OFITS LOCATION WAS FOLLOWING A NORMAL FLT PROFILE AND NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO SUGGEST ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. RELATIVES OF THE PLT LOCATED THE WRECKAGE BY AERIAL SEARCH ON 8/22/84 AT THE 2900 FT LEVEL (MSL) OF A 3101 FT MOUNTAIN APRX 5 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE ARPT ON A MAGNETIC BEARING OF 120 DEGREES. THE CRASH & POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED ALL POSSIBILITIES OF TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS. THE PLT HAS FLOWN THIS ROUTE AT NIGHT SEVERAL TIMES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:10 PDT
Nearest Airport5nm ESE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-160
Tail NumberN4291P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B3B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time05:52
Weather SourceWFAC