# NTSB LAX83FA387: Piper PA-28-151, N41576, Trinity Center, CA, March 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1983, 00:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Trinity Center, CA
- Coordinates: 41.04911, -122.780136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0491&lon=-122.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA387

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED CRESWELL, OR, SOMETIME AFTER 1800 PST ON 3/19/83. AT 2110 PST, THE PLT CONTACTED PORTLAND FLT WATCH BY RADIO & STATED THAT HE WAS OVER ROSEBURG, OR AT 9500 FT. HE REQUESTED PIREPS OF WX OVER THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS & INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. FLT WATCH ADVISED THAT THE MEDFORD, OR WX WAS ESTIMATED 8000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 10 MI & THAT A PLT HAD REPORTED THAT CONDITIONS FROM REDMOND, OR TO RED BLUFF, CA, AT 9500 FT, WERE CLEAR & SMOOTH. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE WAS HAVING A SMOOTH RIDE, ON TOP, & THAT THERE WAS 'A LITTLE BIT OF BUILDUPS TO THE WEST.' THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE ACFT. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. IT WAS FOUND BY HIKERS ON 8/15/83 WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHILE IN A STEEP DIVE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, SEARCH PERSONNEL COULD NOT GET INTO THE AREA DUE TO LOW CLOUDS, RAIN & SNOW. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41576](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41576-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 28-7415280, built 1974 (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: 28-7415280
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roy H. Palmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 775, CRESWELL, OR
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark

## 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 19830319043829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830319043829A), Mar 19, 1983: Piper PA28151, Trinity Center, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became missing on a night mountain area flight. Had crashed into trees near top of a ridge. Near vertical impact.

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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