# NTSB LAX00LA298: Piper PA-28-180, N16411, Grass Valley, CA, August 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2000, 20:57 local (Aug 14, 2000, 03:57 UTC) - Place: Grass Valley, CA - Coordinates: 39.180442, -120.980926 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1804&lon=-120.9809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49983 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49983/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA298 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain proper alignment with the runway during approach for landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate and improper preflight planning and in-flight decision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - notams - not complied with, pilot in command - light condition - bright night - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis On a bright night, the pilot attempted to land on runway 07. At the time, the runway lights were not operating. On final approach, the pilot failed to attain alignment with the desired runway and lined up with a parallel taxiway. About 20 feet above the ground the pilot increased engine power attempting to correct the misalignment. However, the airplane touched down in rough terrain next to the runway. Thereafter, the airplane veered into a ditch and came to rest against a berm. The pilot indicated that he was familiar with the airport, having been based there during the previous 10 years. He indicated a lack of awareness that a NOTAM had been recently issued indicating the airport was closed for night operations. The pilot's airplane contained adequate fuel to proceed to nearby alternate airports. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2000, about 2057 hours Pacific daylight time a Piper PA-28-180, N16411, owned and operated by the pilot, landed on rough terrain adjacent to runway 07 at the Nevada County Air Park, Grass Valley, California. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the nighttime flight which originated from Reno, Nevada about 2010. Two airport employees reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that at the time of the accident they were at the airport and were monitoring the local Unicom frequency. They heard the pilot broadcast that he desired to land. One of the employees broadcast to the pilot that the airport was closed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for nighttime operations due to tree obstructions. The pilot acknowledged the transmission and stated that he was low on fuel and that he intended to land. The Unicom operator-witness further reported that he suggested to the pilot that he divert to two other airports, which were about 15 miles away. The Unicom operator-witness further reported that the pilot continued his approach. The airplane lined up with taxiway Alpha (parallel to, and south of the runway) and corrected toward runway 07 when about 20 feet above the ground. Engine power was increased, and a left turn was initiated to return to the runway. The airplane touched down in rough terrain in between taxiway Alpha and runway 07. Thereafter, it slid in a right turn, finally coming to rest 3 feet to the south of taxiway Alpha and about 500 feet from runway 07's threshold. Under the Safety Board's direction, the airplane was defueled. Approximately 2 ounces of fuel were recovered from the fuel strainer. Eight gallons of fuel were found in the right wing's fuel tank, and 10 gallons of fuel were found in the left tank. The pilot subsequently reported to a Safety Board investigator that his airplane is based at the airport. Also, the pilot has a Grass Valley address. Days earlier he had arrived at the airport and the lights were functional. The pilot indicated that he was unaware of the FAA's issuance of a Notice to Airman (NOTAM) regarding the airport's nighttime closure. The airport's management reported to the Safety Board investigator that on August 11, 2000, it had ceased allowing nighttime operations in accordance with a directive issued by the State of California, Department of Transportation. The runway lights were turned off at night because of obstructions resulting from the presence of nearby trees. A NOTAM, dated August 11, was issued by the FAA through local Flight Service Stations that indicated the airport was closed at night. In the pilot's completed accident report, he indicated that upon departure for the accident flight his airplane had 25 gallons of fuel in its tanks. He also reported that upon approaching the Nevada County Air Park, he had been advised via radio that the (runway) lights had been turned off the preceding Friday. Regarding the pilot's familiarity with the airport, he reported that for the past 10 years he has been based at the airport and performed between 300 and 400 takeoffs and landings. The pilot indicated that, during the accident flight, there was excellent visibility (over 20 miles), and the moon appeared full. Additionally, he felt "comfortable" continuing the landing approach to runway 07, which has been routinely used for night landings during the past 5 years. The pilot further reported that the runway and surrounding airport environment was in clear view and the wind was calm. He believed that his airplane touched down on runway 07. However, almost immediately thereafter, it veered right exiting the runway, traversed rough terrain, and came to rest against a hillside. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16411](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16411-2003-04-22), registration cancelled 2003-04-22, S/N 28-7305246, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7305246 - Airframe hours: 2677 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arnold Adicoff - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 2000, 17 hours before - Departed: RNO, RENO, NV - Destination: O17 - Airport: O17, Nevada County Air Park, runway 7, 4,350 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,648 total, 1,513 in this make and model, 1,535 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 151 °F, dew point 90 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLU, 14 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000813005529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000813005529A), Aug 13, 2000: Piper PA28180, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot returned from reno and was unaware that the airport was closed at night until further notice. He attempted to turn the radio controlled lights… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.