# NTSB LAX83LA421: Piper PA-24-250, N252EZ, Clearlake, CA, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1983, 23:00 local (Sep 4, 1983, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Clearlake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.960651, -122.640007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9607&lon=-122.6400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA421
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23842/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA421

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT MADE AN APCH TO RWY 30 AT NIGHT IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS. HE REPORTED THAT ON FINAL APCH, HE ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO GET LOW & THE ACFT STALLED AND STRUCK THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET SHORT OF THE RWY. THE RWY WAS EQUIPPED WITH MEDIUM INTENSITY LIGHTS WHICH WERE OPERATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N252EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N252EZ-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 24-2133, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2133
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norville D. Tanner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1983, 66 hours before
- Departed: 4NZ, NUT TREE, CA
- Airport: 209, Pearce Field, runway 30, 2,485 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 319 total, 66 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830903045929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830903045929A), Sep 3, 1983: Piper PA24250, Clear Lake, CA, Destroyed. Pilot lost ground reference during dark night approach for landing and crashed short of runway.

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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