# NTSB LAX82FA219: Piper PA-28-161, N8311Z, Yorba Linda, CA, June 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1982, 21:55 local (Jun 13, 1982, 04:55 UTC)
- Place: Yorba Linda, CA
- Location: 33.8890° N, 117.7721° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yorba Linda, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8890&lon=-117.7721&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA219

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING LOW OVER THE RIVERSIDE FREEWAY WITH A HIGH RPM ENG SOUND & IN A RIGHT TURN. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO ROLL & TURN TO THE RIGHT & CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8311Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116107
- Airframe hours: 779
- Engines: LYCOMING 320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: General Aviation Company
- Registered owner: John Y. Chew
- Departed: FULLERTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 214 total, 61 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 142 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 12 nm away

## 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 19820612021589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820612021589A), Jun 12, 1982: Piper PA28161, Yorba Linda, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Indicates pilot lost control from spatial disorientation on a hazy dark night with lower clouds in area.

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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