# NTSB LAX80FA041: Piper PA-32, N2781M, Catalina Is, CA, January 26, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 26, 1980
- Place: Catalina Is, CA · CATALINA IS, CA
- Location: 33.4050° N, 118.4158° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of CATALINA (AVX), within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4050&lon=-118.4158&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FA041
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA041

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3758  80/1/26  NR.CATALINA IS,CA     PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 200
        TIME - 1330                    N2781M              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LONG BEACH,CA               RETURN                       CATALINA ISLAND,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- PLT RPRTD SEEING A BOAT IN PSBL DISTRESS.STRUCK WTR DRG LOW PASS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2781M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2781M-1982-02-25), registration cancelled 1982-02-25, S/N 32-7840055, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800126001149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800126001149A), Jan 26, 1980: Piper PA32300, Catallina Is, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into ocean while descending to view boat belevied to be in trouble. Boat was anchored for diving instructions.

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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