# NTSB LAX84FA096: Piper PA-28-161, N2862C, Danville, CA, December 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1983, 17:41 local (Dec 8, 1983, 01:41 UTC)
- Place: Danville, CA
- Coordinates: 37.809024, -121.969757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8090&lon=-121.9698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA096

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN AT THE 1600 FT LEVEL ON A DARK NIGHT. THE PLT WAS ON A NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY AND HADMADE A RADIO CALL SAYING HE WAS UNSURE OF HIS POSITION. HE THEN REPORTED HIS ALT AS 2000 FT. THE BUCHANAN TOWER GAVE HIM A HEADING TO FLY AND SAID HE WAS ONLY 10 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE ACFT ACKNOWLEDGED THE HEADING AND THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2862C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2862C-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 28-7916487, built 1979 (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: 28-7916487
- Airframe hours: 2425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Navajo Aviation
- Registered owner: Ronald D. Eberhard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1983, 30 hours before
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 93 total, 93 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCR, 24 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 19831207063079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831207063079A), Dec 7, 1983: Piper PA28161, Danville, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into hill at 1600 feet elevation of 1720 foot hill. Disoriented pilot was given radar vectors.

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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