# NTSB LAX83LA165: Piper PA-32-300, N4235R, Gorman, CA, March 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1983, 20:34 local (Mar 28, 1983, 04:34 UTC)
- Place: Gorman, CA
- Coordinates: 34.859645, -118.870834 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8596&lon=-118.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ENCOUNTERING CLOUDS ENROUTE THE PLT DESCENDED TO FLY THROUGH THE TETON PASS. AFTER CONFIRMING A VFR CHECK POINT, HE COMMENCED A CLIMB. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT STRUCK A POWERLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4235R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4235R-1993-09-21), registration cancelled 1993-09-21, S/N 3240600 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40600
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nri Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 8, 1982
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 26 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19830327009939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830327009939A), Mar 27, 1983: Piper PA32300, Gorman, CA, Substantial damage. After descending to check location, aircraft hit powerline then crashed attempting emergency landing on highway.

## Other investigations on N4235R (1)

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 LAX89LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA100), Jan 27, 1989: Piper PA-32-300 (N4235R), Gualala, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT MISJUDGED THE ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY AND SUBSEQUENTLY DID NOT ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.

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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