# NTSB LAX84FA176: Piper PA-28-181, N4304K, Oakland, CA, February 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1984, 13:52 local (21:52 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Location: 37.8044° N, 122.2708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oakland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8044&lon=-122.2708&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): 23936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA176

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT LEFT THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WHERE THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND PROCEEDED NORTHBOUND INTO IMC WEATHER. THE PLT HAD JUST CHECKED OUT IN THIS ACFT. THE FIELD ELEVATION OF DEPARTURE IS 47 FT MSL. THIRTEEN MILES NORTH THE TERRAIN WAS MOUNTAINOUS AND THE ACFT COLLIDES WITH RISING TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 1575 FT MSL IN WEATHER DESCRIBED AS 'ZERO-ZERO'BY GROUND WITNESSES. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES 6O FT AGL BEFORE GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4304K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8390063
- Airframe hours: 87
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Performance Aircraft Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HWD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 277 total, 2 in this make and model, 245 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840212003439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840212003439A), Feb 12, 1984: Piper PA28181, Oakland, CA, Destroyed. Flew into a mountainside in zero flight conditions. Low time VFR rated pilot.

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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