# NTSB LAX83FA439: Piper PA-38-112, N9734T, S. Lake Tahoe, CA, September 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1983, 16:36 local (23:36 UTC)
- Place: S. Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.8686° N, 119.9773° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LAKE TAHOE (TVL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8686&lon=-119.9773&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA439
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA439

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING LOW ALT TURN FOLLOWING TAKEOFF FROM THE SO. LAKE TAHOE ARPT. THE TOWER CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT, AFTER TAKEOFF, THAT HE COULD TURN AND CIRCLE THE VALLEY TO GAIN ALT BEFORE PROCEEDING ON COURSE. THE ACFT MADE ONE 360 DEG TURN AND STARTED ANOTHER. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN IT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND THE ACFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK THEGROUND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL AND 'REVVED' UP BEFORE IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE DENSITY ALT AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 8500 FT MSL. IN ADDITION, ALTHOUGH THE ACFT WAS FOUND WITHIN CG LIMITS, CALCULATIONS REVEALED THAT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GW LIMITS WERE EXCEEDED BEFORE AND AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT. NO OTHER AIRCRAFT DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9734T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9734T-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 38-78A0175, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0175
- Airframe hours: 1234
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. & Jodie Velardo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1983, 15 hours before
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TVL, S. Lake Tahoe, runway 18, 8,544 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 163 total, 100 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 1 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 19830913048839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830913048839A), Sep 13, 1983: Piper PA38112, South Lake Taho, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Unable to outclimb rising terrain after takeoff. Stalled trying to land on a golf course. Over gross and aft CG.

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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