# NTSB LAX83LA068: Piper PA-28-161, N38916, Bakersfield, CA, January 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1983, 18:40 local (Jan 7, 1983, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.199848, -118.860649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1998&lon=-118.8606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA068

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE TAKE-OFF AND WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. DURING ARRIVAL AT NIGHT, HE CIRCLED TWICE OVER THE AIRPORT AND NOTICED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE CLEAR, THEN ENTERED THE PATTERN TO LAND. THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, HE EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY, UNEXPECTED WHITE-OUT. REPORTEDLY, A THIN ARM OF GROUND FOG WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THAT BRIEF MOMENT, THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT OVER THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. TWO RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE SHEARED OFF. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE WHEEL HIT A CONCRETE SLAB AT THE BASE OF A RUNWAY LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N38916 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287716293
- Airframe hours: 1702
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald O. Prasser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1982, 0 hours before
- Departed: IPL, IMPERIAL, CA
- Destination: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: L45, Bakersfield, runway 31, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 434 total, 434 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 7 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 19830106000799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830106000799A), Jan 6, 1983: Piper PA28180, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. VFR pilot ran off edge of runway while landing in thick fog. Destroyed two runway lights. VFR was not recommended.

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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