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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 15, 1984 · Piper PA-28-236 · N8279L

Santa Paula, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Location
Santa Paula, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-236
Tail Number
N8279L
Operator
Mark N Boss
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FA481

AFTER DEPARTING RWY 22 AT SANTA PAULA ARPT, THE ACFT FLEW SW ALONG THE SANTA CLARA RIVER + STRUCK A TELEPHONE WIRE 2.6 SM FROM THE RWY END. WITNESSES SAW ACFT FLY LEVEL AT ABOUT 8O FT AGL WITH NORMAL POWER SOUNDS PRIOR TO WIRE CONTACT. THEWIRE STRIKE CAUSED THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE OUTBOARD LEFT WING PANEL AND THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A MARSHY PORTION OF THE RIVER BED ABOUT 450 FT BEYOND THE WIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

Full Narrative

AFTER DEPARTING RWY 22 AT SANTA PAULA ARPT, THE ACFT FLEW SW ALONG THE SANTA CLARA RIVER + STRUCK A TELEPHONE WIRE 2.6 SM FROM THE RWY END. WITNESSES SAW ACFT FLY LEVEL AT ABOUT 8O FT AGL WITH NORMAL POWER SOUNDS PRIOR TO WIRE CONTACT. THEWIRE STRIKE CAUSED THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE OUTBOARD LEFT WING PANEL AND THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A MARSHY PORTION OF THE RIVER BED ABOUT 450 FT BEYOND THE WIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:02 PDT
Nearest AirportSanta Paula (3nm SSW)
Runway22
Runway Length2650 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-236
Tail NumberN8279L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMark N Boss
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O540J3A5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data