# NTSB LAX83LA014: Piper PA28-180, N8176W, Reno, NV, October 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1982, 18:33 local (Oct 18, 1982, 02:33 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.480289, -119.739959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4803&lon=-119.7400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA014

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ON A HILLSIDE AT 5200 FEET LEVEL WHILE ON APPROACH TO CANNON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RENO, NV AT NIGHT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC. NO MALFUNCTIONS IN EQUIPMENT WERE FOUND THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT "FELL FROM UNDER ME". HE SAW THE TERRAIN, PULLED THE NOSE UP AND STALLED INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8176W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8176W-1991-02-12), registration cancelled 1991-02-12, S/N 282300 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28 2300
- Airframe hours: 4394
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dean Calkins
- Registered owner: Dean Calkins
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RNO, Cannon International, runway 25, 6,101 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 351 total, 351 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO

## 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 19821017070279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821017070279A), Oct 17, 1982: Piper PA28180, Reno, NV, Destroyed. Flew into crest of a hill on a night 3 mile final from the runway. Too low on approach.

## Other investigations on N8176W (2)

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.

- [NTSB OAK77DXQ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DXQ03), Nov 28, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N8176W), Minden, NV, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK72DVM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVM16), Dec 4, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N8176W), Salinas, CA, substantial damage

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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