# NTSB LAX83LA169: Piper PA-24-260, N9324P, Hollister, CA, April 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1983, 19:00 local (Apr 1, 1983, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Coordinates: 36.889961, -121.240982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8900&lon=-121.2410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,visual apch slope ind(vasi) - unavailable
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO LAND AT NIGHT, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR OF THE ACFT STRUCK A SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK AS THE ACFT CROSSED OVER A HIGHWAY. THE CENTERLINE OF THE HIGHWAY WAS LOCATED APRX 102 FT FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE PLT CONTINUED THE LANDING & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR HIT THE TOP OF THE TRUCK CAB, 9 FT 7 INCHES ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, DAMAGING THE CAB, WINDSHIELD & VERTICLE EXHAUST STACK. THE RWY WAS 4350 FT LONG & HAD A 750 FT DISPLACED THRESHOLD. NO VASI LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9324P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9324P-2000-01-12), registration cancelled 2000-01-12, S/N 24-4821 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4821
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest L. Pavese
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1983, 2 hours before
- Airport: 307, Hollister, runway 23, 4,350 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 524 total, 524 in this make and model, 476 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19830331013999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830331013999A), Mar 31, 1983: Piper PA24260, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft gear and wing hit truck on final approach for night landing.

## Other investigations on N9324P (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 LAX96FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA275), Jul 17, 1996: Piper PA-24-260 (N9324P), Tennant, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions.

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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