# NTSB LAX83LA430: Piper PA-36, N56070, Huron, CA, September 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1983, 21:00 local (Sep 9, 1983, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Huron, CA
- Coordinates: 36.729167, -119.77922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7292&lon=-119.7792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA430
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA430

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS SPRAYING LETTUCE FIELDS ON A DARK NIGHT. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE NORTH NORTHWEST & GUSTING TO 12 KTS. HE REPORTED THAT DURING A TURN-AROUND OVER A PLOWED FIELD, THE WIND WAS BLOWING DUST WHICH AFFECTED HIS VISIBILITY & DEPTH PERCEPTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, A WING DRAGGED THE GROUND & THE ACFT CRASHED. THE PLT SAID THE REASON HE WAS NOT INJURED WAS BECAUSE HE WAS WEARING HIS SAFETY HELMET & HAD HIS SAFETY HARNESS TIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56070](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56070-1989-02-28), registration cancelled 1989-02-28, S/N 367360027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7360027
- Airframe hours: 1848
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: San Joaquin Dusters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1983, 11 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,576 total, 500 in this make and model, 6,385 as pilot in command, 189 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLC

## 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 19830908049619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830908049619A), Sep 8, 1983: Piper PA36285, Huron, CA, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing and crashed while making a night turn around. Blowing dust and plowed field glared in turn light.

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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