# NTSB LAX83FA253: Piper PA-28-151, N54363, Norco, CA, May 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1983, 22:50 local (May 27, 1983, 05:50 UTC)
- Place: Norco, CA
- Location: 33.9259° N, 117.5265° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from RIVERSIDE (RAL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9259&lon=-117.5265&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA253

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT HAD FLOWN TO THE RIVERTON ARPT TO ATTEND A GROUND SCHOOL. REPORTEDLY, PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE AT APRX 2235 PDT, STARS WERE VISIBLE OVERHEAD, BUT THE HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY WAS POOR & THERE WAS A HAZE LAYER AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. AT APRX 2250, A WITNESS NEAR THE CRASH SITE OBSERVED THE WHITE & GREEN LIGHTS OF THE ACFT JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. HE REPORTED HEARING THE CONSTANT SOUND OF THE ENG BEFORE THE ACFT CRASHED. DUE TO DARKNESS & REDUCED VISIBILITY, THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A RAVINE, SURROUNDED BY HIGH TERRAIN. IMPACT HAD OCCURRED IN A STEEP DESCENT WITH THE RIGHT WING DOWN. APRX 9 MI NORTHWEST OF THE CRASH SITE, THE WEATHER WAS REPORTEDLY OBSCURED, 2 MILE VISIBILITY WITH FOG, TEMP/DEW POINT 60 DEG, WIND 240 DEG AT 6 KTS. PRIOR TO THE FLT, THE STUDENT WAS CAUTIONED ABOUT FLYING IN REDUCED VISIBILITY, BUT HE RESPONDED, 'IT'S OK, I'VE GOT OVER 50 HRS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54363](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54363-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 28-7415048, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-741504B
- Airframe hours: 2213
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reinaldo E. Ruiz
- Registered owner: See Aircraft Sec. Of Narrative
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1982, 50 hours before
- Departed: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA
- Airport: RAL, Riverside Muni, runway 27, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 47 total, 31 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 9 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 19830526025609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830526025609A), May 26, 1983: Piper PA28151, Norco, CA, Destroyed. Student departed into dense fog and haze. Angle of impact indicates a loss of control. No sign off for the flight.

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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