# NTSB LAX82FUQ10: Piper PA-28R-180, N7497J, Captinteria, CA, March 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1982, 08:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Captinteria, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUQ10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUQ10

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SOME HEAD CONGESTION AND HAD EXPERIENCED EAR DISCOMFORT ON THE FIRST LEG OF THE FLIGHT. HE ELECTED TO FLY THE SECOND LEG OF THE FLIGHT IN A CANYON THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD ALLOW PASSAGE THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AT LOW ALTITUDE. HOWEVER, THE SELECTED CANYON GRADUALLY NARROWED AND THE TERRAIN ROSE AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE AIRCRAFT COULD CLIMB. BY THE TIME HE REALIZED THE SITUATION, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AIRSPACE TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED THE TOPS OF A FEW TREES BEFORE CRASHING IN THE CANYON. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 4000 FT MSL. THE AIRCRAFT WOULD HAVE HAD TO CLIMB TO ABOVE 5000 FT TO GET OUT OF THE CANYON. LESS THEN 100 LBS OF CARGO WAS ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7497J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7497J-1984-12-21), registration cancelled 1984-12-21, S/N 28R-30859 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-308959
- Airframe hours: 8303
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Cal Air Charter
- Registered owner: Cal Air Charter
- Departed: OXR, OXFORD, CA
- Destination: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,810 total, 1,784 in this make and model, 3,650 as pilot in command, 274 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 18 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 122 °F

## 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 19820308002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820308002699A), Mar 8, 1982: Piper PA28R180, Carpinteria, CA, Destroyed. Had head cold. Elected to fly low in box canyon. Unable to climb out or turn. Struck trees.

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.