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NTSB Report
December 27, 1983 · Piper PA 24-260 · N8761P
Fontana, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Fontana, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA 24-260
Tail Number
N8761P
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FA113
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A ELECTRICAL POWER LINE TOWER AT NIGHT DURING IMC WEATHER. THE TOWER WAS STRUCK AT 40 FT AGL. THEPLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THIS FLT AND VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. WITESSES HEARD THE ACFT FLY OVER AT AN ESTIMATED 200-300 FT IN DENSE FOG AND RAIN. WITNESSES HEARD THE CRASH AND CALLED THE SHERIFF WHO RESPONDED AND FOUND THE WRECKAGE SCATTERED BELOW THE TOWER FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FT. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A ELECTRICAL POWER LINE TOWER AT NIGHT DURING IMC WEATHER. THE TOWER WAS STRUCK AT 40 FT AGL. THEPLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THIS FLT AND VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. WITESSES HEARD THE ACFT FLY OVER AT AN ESTIMATED 200-300 FT IN DENSE FOG AND RAIN. WITNESSES HEARD THE CRASH AND CALLED THE SHERIFF WHO RESPONDED AND FOUND THE WRECKAGE SCATTERED BELOW THE TOWER FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FT. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:35 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA 24-260
Tail NumberN8761P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 4 kt
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:45
Weather SourceWFAC