# NTSB LAX79DA083: Piper PA-28R, N1228T, Grass Valley, CA, September 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 16, 1979
- Place: Grass Valley, CA · GRASS VALLEY, CA
- Location: 39.2203° N, 121.0527° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grass Valley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2203&lon=-121.0527&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DA083
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DA083

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3073  79/9/16    GRASS VALLEY,CA     PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 249
        TIME - 0930                    N1228T              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 28 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NOVOTO,CA                   AUBURN,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        REMARKS- PLT STATED-MISTOOK NEVADA CO ARPT(ELEV 3135FT)FOR AUBURN MUNI(ELEV 1523FT).LND OK AFTER COLLISION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1228T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1228T-2022-07-05), registration cancelled 2022-07-05, S/N 28R-7235242 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Nevada County

## 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 19790916035419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790916035419A), Sep 16, 1979: Piper PA28R200, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Lost ground reference circling in pattern at wrong airport. Hit trees. Airport elevation higher than destination.

## Other investigations on N1228T (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA76DKJ17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DKJ17), Aug 26, 1975: Piper PA-28R (N1228T), Selma, AL, substantial damage

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.

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