# NTSB LAX80FA050: Piper PA-34, N2858X, Reno, NV, February 12, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 12, 1980
- Place: Reno, NV · RENO, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FA050
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA050

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3103  80/2/12  NR.RENO,NV            PIPER PA-34         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 2500
        TIME - 2340                    N2858X              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RENO,NV                    UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- APRX 11 MIN AFTER NGT TKOF,HIT MTN IN LVL FLT.PLT'S ALCOHOL LVL IN EYE FLUID .147PERCENT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2858X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2858X-1982-12-07), registration cancelled 1982-12-07, S/N 34-7970297, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (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 19800212003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800212003519A), Feb 12, 1980: Piper PA34200, Reno, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of mountain in level flight on dark night. Pilot had consumed alcohol. Intoxicating level.

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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