# NTSB LAX81FA083: Piper PA-38, N2448B, Sonora, CA, May 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 1, 1981
- Place: Sonora, CA · SONORA, CA
- Location: 37.9817° N, 120.3828° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sonora, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9817&lon=-120.3828&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA083
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA083

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3470   81/5/1    SONORA,CA           PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 18, 87 TOTAL
        TIME - 2130                    N2448B              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 14 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - COLUMBIA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          OAKDALE,CA                  COLUMBIA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        REMARKS- DARK NIGHT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2448B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Columbia

## 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 19810501023079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810501023079A), May 1, 1981: Piper PA38112, Sonora, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed during night time within three miles of destination airport. Pilot could not recall any details.

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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