# NTSB LAX83LA235: Piper PA 28-236, N2960X, Emigrant Gap, CA, May 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1983, 13:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Emigrant Gap, CA
- Coordinates: 39.250129, -120.69065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2501&lon=-120.6907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA235

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport/facilities - not operating (cause)
  - all available runway - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING TAKEOFF. THE CFI AND STUDENT HAD MADE A LANDING ON A RWY THAT WAS 2/3 COVERED WITH SNOW. THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD MAKE A SHORT FIELD LANDING AND A SHORT FIELD RUNNING TAKEOFF. THEY NOSED DOWN IN THE SNOW DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. ASSESING THE DAMAGE IN THIS MISHAP AS MINOR THEY RESTARTED THE ACFT AFTER PUSHING IT OUT OF THE SNOW. A TAKEOFF FROM THE CLEARED 1/3 OF THE RWY TOWARD THE SNOW RESULTED IN AN ABORT IN THE SNOW. THEY DECIDED TOTAKEOFF FROM THE SNOW COVERED AREA TOWARD THE CLEARED END OF THE RWY. THIS LEFT NO ROOM FOR AN ABORT. WHEN AIRBORNE, USING FLAPS BUT OUT OF GROUND EFFECT, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE TREES. THE ARPT IS CLOSED BY SNOW IN WINTER MONTHS WITH NO SNOW REMOVAL PLANS AND IS SO NOTED IN THE GUIDE TO ARPTS.THE AREA CLEARED BY THE WIND AND USED BY THIS FLT WAS ABOUT 750 FT LONG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2960X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2960X-1990-07-25), registration cancelled 1990-07-25, S/N 287911276 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7911276
- Airframe hours: 1073
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Navajo Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Malcolm Vineberg, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1982, 73 hours before
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BLU, Blue Canyon, runway 15, 3,300 × 50 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,789 total, 60 in this make and model, 7,637 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLU

## 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 19830518019799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830518019799A), May 18, 1983: Piper PA28236, Emigrant Gap, CA, Substantial damage. Settled into trees after takeoff. Had damaged prop on landing. Snow drifts. Density altitude. Bent prop factors.

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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