# NTSB LAX83LA411: Piper PA-28-161, N47980, Upland, CA, August 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1983, 20:27 local (Aug 28, 1983, 03:27 UTC)
- Place: Upland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100318, -117.65979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1003&lon=-117.6598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA411
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23836/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA411

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - electrical system,alternator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - flight compartment light(s) - inoperative
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - landed at wrong airport - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD AN ALTERNATOR FAILURE IN THE VICINITY OF CAJON PASS. HE REQUESTED & WAS PROVIDED RADAR VECTORS TOWARD THE RIALTO MUNI ARPT. HOWEVER, THE PLT SAW CABLE ARPT, APRX 14 MI WEST OF RIALTO, & THOUGHT IT WAS RIALTO MUNI. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT REDUCED HIS ELECTRICAL LOAD TO CONSERVE BATTERY POWER & HAD THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER HOLD A FLASHLIGHT ON HIS INSTRUMENTS. DURING HIS APCH TO THE CABLE ARPT (WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS RIALTO MUNI), HE HEARD A CESSNA BROADCASTING THAT HE WAS ON FINAL AT RIALTO. WHEN THE PLT (OF N47980) COULD NOT SEE THE OTHER ACFT, HE DECIDED TO TURN ON THE ANTI-COLLISION LIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT THE FLASHLIGHT BEAM WAS REMOVED FROM HIS AIRSPEED INDICATOR AT A CRITICAL TIME ON FINAL APCH, CAUSING CONFUSION IN THE COCKPIT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS LANDED WITH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, OVERRAN THE RWY & EXPERIENCED AN ON-GROUND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47980](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47980-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 28-7816177, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816177
- Airframe hours: 1540
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andrews Refrigeration Manuf.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1983, 74 hours before
- Departed: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CCB, Cable, runway 24, 3,785 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 370 total, 310 in this make and model, 310 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 6 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 19830827053079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830827053079A), Aug 27, 1983: Piper PA28161, Upland, CA, Substantial damage. Overshot runway on a night landing using minimum lights due to alternator failure. Not licensed for night flights.

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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