# NTSB LAX81FVA16: Piper PA-28, N9390W, Fresno, CA, December 15, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: December 15, 1980
- Place: Fresno, CA · FRESNO, CA
- Location: 36.7477° N, 119.7724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fresno, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7477&lon=-119.7724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVA16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3578  80/12/15   FRESNO,CA           PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0555                    N9390W              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     AGE 28, 1442 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            16 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SIERRA SKY PARK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FRESNO,CA                   AUBERRY,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - FLIGHT AND NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS: DIRECTIONAL GYRO
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - BINDING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          ZERO                                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       32
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR (VFR CONDITIONS ON TOP)
        REMARKS- INDUSTRIAL OPERATOR,TEMPERATURE SOUNDINGS.CAGING KNOB OF DG MADE CONTACT W PLASTIC INSTRMT PANEL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9390W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9390W-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 28-11086, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sierra Sky Park

## 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 19801215072879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801215072879A), Dec 15, 1980: Piper PA28235, Fresno, CA, Destroyed. Tried to take off in zero visibility via dg heading. Failed to unlock dg. Ran off side of runway.

## Other investigations on N9390W (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 NYC95LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA168), Jul 22, 1995: Piper PA-28-235 (N9390W), Poestenkill, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's decision to continue an approach during which the airplane was high and fast, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. The pilot's failure to use the seat belt was a factor.

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.