# NTSB LAX83FA020: Piper PA-28-181, N4583F, Vallejo, CA, October 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1982, 20:27 local (Oct 25, 1982, 03:27 UTC)
- Place: Vallejo, CA
- Coordinates: 38.089977, -122.249855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0900&lon=-122.2499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA020

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT 1830, THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR A FLT FROM FAIR OAKS TO SAN JOSE, CA WITH A PASSENGER PICKUP STOP AT SACRAMENTO, CA. DURING THE BRIEFING, HE WAS TOLD THAT HE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT IF HE TRAVELED BELOW 4000 FT MSL & LEFT WITHIN THE NEXT HR. HE FLEW TO SACRAMENTO & AFTER A PASSENGER PICKUP, HE TOOK OFF AT 1956 FOR SAN JOSE. ABOUT 30 MIN LATER, THE ACFT CRASHED, 43 MI WEST SOUTHWEST OF SACRAMENTO, WHILE ON A NORTHEASTLY HEADING AT AN ELEVATION OF 600 FT MSL. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED ON RISING TERRAIN IN FOOT HILLS, APRX 32 MI TO THE RIGHT (WEST) OF A STRAIGHT LINE NAVIGATIONAL ROUTE BETWEEN SACRAMENTO & SAN JOSE. LOCAL RESIDENTS HEARD THE ACFT & SAW A FIRE FROM THE CRASH. THEY REPORTED THAT THE WX WAS POOR WITH LOW CLOUDS, RAIN, GUSTY WINDS & LIGHTNING. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A 60 TO 90 DEG RIGHT WING DOWN, SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW, ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT,MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4583F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4583F-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 28-7790046 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790046
- Airframe hours: 1172
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wm. Eanita Chamberlain
- Registered owner: Wm. Eanita Chamberlain
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 273 total, 273 in this make and model, 249 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Temperature: 32 °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 19821024056439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821024056439A), Oct 24, 1982: Piper PA28181, Vallejo, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Pilot continued VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions. Impacted hillside.

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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