# NTSB LAX81FVG01: Porterfield 35W, N18520, Citrus Heights, CA, October 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 18, 1980
- Place: Citrus Heights, CA · CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA
- Location: 38.6948° N, 121.2880° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Citrus Heights, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6948&lon=-121.2880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVG01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVG01

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2992  80/10/18   CITRUS HEIGHTS,CA   PORTERFIELD 35W     CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 52, 143
        TIME - 1300                    N18520              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 60 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CITRUS HEIGHTS,CA           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- DRG FLT FOR PLEASURE/PICTURE TAKING,ACFT OBSD TO ENTER TURN,THEN GO INTO SPIN.ALT APRX 500-1000FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18520](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18520), registered now, S/N 310 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PORTERFIELD 35W
- Registry model: [Porterfield 35W](https://openairdocs.org/model/porterfield-35w) (registry code 6480108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SCA JR series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-sca-jr-series) (registry code 64501, reciprocating) (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 19801018057649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801018057649A), Oct 18, 1980: Norwst 35WPORTFLD, Citrus Heights, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stunt flying at low altitude over city. Stalled, went into a spin. No recovery attempt observed.

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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