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NTSB Report
September 6, 1983 · Piper PA-32-301T · N8196J
San Marcos, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
San Marcos, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-301T
Tail Number
N8196J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA424
AT APRX 2209 PDT, THE PLT DEPARTED FRESNO, CA ON A NIGHT, VFR, X-COUNTRY FLT. HE CANCELLED HIS VFR FLT PLAN AT 0009 PDT & LANDED AT RAMONA, CA AT 0012. AFTER LANDING, HE CALLED HIS WIFE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE WX AT PALOMAR, CA. SHE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW & REPORTED THAT SHE COULD SEE STARS. THE PLT THEN TOOK OFF AT APRX 0017 FOR A 23 MI FLT. APRX 15 MI WEST OF RAMONA, THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE SIDE OF A HILL IN A GROVE OF AVOCAD TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 1000 FT MSL. ACCORDING TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, THE WX WAS FOGGY WITH APRX 1/2 MI VISIBILITY, THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 300 FT, THE WIND WAS CALM & THE TEMP WAS 56 DEG. REPORTEDLY, THE FOG HAD BEEN IN THE VALLEY FOR 2 TO 3 HRS. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE & WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF AN IN-FLT STRUCTURAL FAILURE OR LOSS OF POWER.
Full Narrative
AT APRX 2209 PDT, THE PLT DEPARTED FRESNO, CA ON A NIGHT, VFR, X-COUNTRY FLT. HE CANCELLED HIS VFR FLT PLAN AT 0009 PDT & LANDED AT RAMONA, CA AT 0012. AFTER LANDING, HE CALLED HIS WIFE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE WX AT PALOMAR, CA. SHE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW & REPORTED THAT SHE COULD SEE STARS. THE PLT THEN TOOK OFF AT APRX 0017 FOR A 23 MI FLT. APRX 15 MI WEST OF RAMONA, THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE SIDE OF A HILL IN A GROVE OF AVOCAD TREES AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 1000 FT MSL. ACCORDING TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, THE WX WAS FOGGY WITH APRX 1/2 MI VISIBILITY, THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 300 FT, THE WIND WAS CALM & THE TEMP WAS 56 DEG. REPORTEDLY, THE FOG HAD BEEN IN THE VALLEY FOR 2 TO 3 HRS. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE & WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF AN IN-FLT STRUCTURAL FAILURE OR LOSS OF POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:26 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-301T
Tail NumberN8196J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT