# NTSB LAX83FA260: Piper PA-32 300C, N8926N, Buckeye, AZ, June 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1983, 02:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.379577, -112.55043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3796&lon=-112.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23458
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23458/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA260

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, unknown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE ABOUT 36 FT AGL LESS THAN A MILE NORTH OF A PRIVATE DIRT AIRSTRIP. THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED SCOTTSDALE MUNICIPAL ARPT AT ABOUT 0045. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 0200 APROXIMATELY 4 MILES WEST OF BUCKEYE,AZ. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN WITH THE TWO OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT WHEN THEY WERE DRINKING WITH HIM IN A LOCAL BAR. THE PLT HAD INVITED HIM AND THE GIRL TO FLY AND THE WITNESS DECLINED BUT THE 21 YEAR OLD FEMALE ACCEPTED. ANOTHER WITNESS SAW THEM DEPART THE ARPT AND SAID THE DEPARTURE WAS ABNORMAL WITH THE ACFT ALMOST COLLIDING INTO PARKED ACFT AND TAXIING 1500 FT ON THE RWY BEFORE ADDING FULL POWER TO TAKEOFF. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE FOUND AFTER THEACCIDENT WITH THEIR SEATBELTS UNFASTENED. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS STREWN ALONG A PATH 152 FT LONG ON A HEADING OF 024 DEGREES. BLOOD SUBMITTED FOR A TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION FROM THE PLT AND PASSENGER REVEALED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.15 PERCENT AND 0.07 PERCENT RESPECTIVELY. A 6 PACK OF BEER WAS FOUND NEAR THE ACFT WITH 5 OF THE CANS OPENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8926N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8926N-1998-08-20), registration cancelled 1998-08-20, S/N 3240723 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32 300C
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40723
- Airframe hours: 3306
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nelson Royce Nofsinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 9, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Airport: Private Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 43 nm away

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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