# NTSB LAX84FA113: Piper PA 24-260, N8761P, Fontana, CA, December 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1983, 19:35 local (Dec 27, 1983, 02:35 UTC)
- Place: Fontana, CA
- Coordinates: 34.079723, -117.460823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0797&lon=-117.4608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA113

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - electrical tower (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A ELECTRICAL POWER LINE TOWER AT NIGHT DURING IMC WEATHER. THE TOWER WAS STRUCK AT 40 FT AGL. THEPLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THIS FLT AND VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. WITESSES HEARD THE ACFT FLY OVER AT AN ESTIMATED 200-300 FT IN DENSE FOG AND RAIN. WITNESSES HEARD THE CRASH AND CALLED THE SHERIFF WHO RESPONDED AND FOUND THE WRECKAGE SCATTERED BELOW THE TOWER FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FT. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8761P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 24-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4211
- Airframe hours: 5025
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sam Paul Winter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1983, 114 hours before
- Departed: CLX, CALEXICO, CA
- Destination: L67, RIALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 10 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 19831226063419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831226063419A), Dec 26, 1983: Piper PA24260, Fontana, CA, Destroyed. Struck a power tower at 40 feet AGL while flying at night in near zero IMC. VFR flight was not advised on briefing.

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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