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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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August 23, 1984 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8451V

Vista, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 1984
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Vista, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8451V
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FA452

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT FROM THE PASSENGER WHO INITIALLY SURVIVED, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED FOG SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HEAD INLAND TO GET OUT OF THE FOG BY REFERENCE TO STREET LIGHTS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WHILE IN A CLIMB, GROUND REFERENCE WAS LOST, FOLLOWED BY COLLISION WITH RISING TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT FROM THE PASSENGER WHO INITIALLY SURVIVED, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED FOG SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HEAD INLAND TO GET OUT OF THE FOG BY REFERENCE TO STREET LIGHTS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WHILE IN A CLIMB, GROUND REFERENCE WAS LOST, FOLLOWED BY COLLISION WITH RISING TERRAIN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:04 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8451V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 2 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data