# NTSB LAX84FA138: Piper PA-28R-200, N5054T, Tracy, CA, January 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1984, 07:42 local (15:42 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.730873, -121.419982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7309&lon=-121.4200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED UNDER INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, WITH VISIBILITY RESTRICTED TO ONE QUARTER MILE BY FOG. THE CEILING WAS OBSCURED. AFTER DEPARTURE WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT MAKE WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LEFT TURN. NEXT THEY HEARD THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD THUD. THE ACFT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD IMPACTED AN EMBANKMENT, NEXT TO A ROAD ON RELATIVELY LEVEL TERRAIN, APPROXIMATELY 1/8 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 25. NO EYEWITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT COULD BE LOCATED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD CALLED THE SACRAMENTO FSS BY TELEPHONE. AT 0771, HE OBTAINED AN IFR CLEARANCE WITH A VOID TIME OF 0730. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PLT & THE FSS. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS PARKED ABOUT 2 MIN TAXI TIME FROM RWY 25. ACCORDING TO THE FAA INSTRUMENT FLYING HANDBOOK, AC 61-27B, 5 MIN IS NEEDED FOR GYRO INSTRUMENTS TO BE OPERATIONAL. HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL TIME ALLOWED BY THE PLT (FOR THE INSTRUMENTS TO BECOME OPERATIONAL) IS NOT KNOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5054T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5054T-1985-04-04), registration cancelled 1985-04-04, S/N 28R7235185 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7235185
- Airframe hours: 5079
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert R. Greenwood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1983, 43 hours before
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 036, Tracy Municipal, runway 25, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 774 total, 732 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19840112000539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840112000539A), Jan 12, 1984: Piper PA28R200, Tracy, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed shortly after takeoff in near zero IMC. Spatial disorientation and or not waiting for gyros to fully erect.

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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