# NTSB LAX84FA087: Piper PA-32-260, N3206W, Holtville, CA, December 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1983, 17:30 local (Dec 2, 1983, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Holtville, CA
- Coordinates: 32.830928, -115.190574 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8309&lon=-115.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA087

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - information insufficient, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD DEPARTED MAZATLAN, MEXICO AT 0632 PST & HAD LANDED AT LOS MOCHIS & MEXICALI, MEXICO & AT CALEXICO, CA, WHERE HE CLEARED U.S. CUSTOMS. BEFORE DEPARTING CALEXICO, HE TELEPHONED HIS FAMILY & TOLD THEM THE WX HAD BEEN POOR ALL DAY. THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT YUMA, AZ WAS 1730 PST. WHEN THE ACFT DD NOT ARRIVE, A SEARCH WAS BEGUN. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 17 MI EAST OF IMPERIAL, CA, WHERE THE PLANE HAD CRASHED ON A WESTERLY HEADING. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN IN A 15 DEG DESCENT & IN A 65 DEG RIGHT BANK. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. WITNESSES ATTESTED TO WORSENING WX & GUSTY WINDS IN THE VICINITY AT THE PRESUMED TIME OF THE CRASH. THE CO-OWNER NOTED THERE WAS A 600 FT ERROR IN THE ALTIMETER, WHICH THE PLT WOULD COMPENSATE FOR, BY ADJUSTING THE BAROMETER SETTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3206W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3206W-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 32-6, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-6
- Airframe hours: 2212
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B, & Randall J. Stone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1983, 71 hours before
- Departed: CLX, CALEXICO, CA
- Destination: YUM, YUMA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 17 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 19831201061359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831201061359A), Dec 1, 1983: Piper PA32260, Holtville, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft flew into ground during hours of darkness while attempting to stay under weather.

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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