# NTSB LAX84FA447: Piper PA-23-160, N4291P, Garberville, CA, July 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1984, 23:10 local (Jul 28, 1984, 06:10 UTC)
- Place: Garberville, CA
- Location: 40.1003° N, 123.7943° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garberville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1003&lon=-123.7943&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): 23989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA447
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA447

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & GROUND DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE WX IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR SINCE THE WX WAS VMC AT THE TIME & PLACE OF THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS A MOONLESS NIGHT AND THE AREAOF THE CRASH SUGGESTED THE FLT PATH WAS DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH DESTINATION BUT OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE ACFT BY VIRTUE OFITS LOCATION WAS FOLLOWING A NORMAL FLT PROFILE AND NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO SUGGEST ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS. RELATIVES OF THE PLT LOCATED THE WRECKAGE BY AERIAL SEARCH ON 8/22/84 AT THE 2900 FT LEVEL (MSL) OF A 3101 FT MOUNTAIN APRX 5 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE ARPT ON A MAGNETIC BEARING OF 120 DEGREES. THE CRASH & POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED ALL POSSIBILITIES OF TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS. THE PLT HAS FLOWN THIS ROUTE AT NIGHT SEVERAL TIMES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4291P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1791
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter J. Danto & Erica Boyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1984, 45 hours before
- Departed: 016, GARBERVILLE, CA
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 60 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 19840727075859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840727075859A), Jul 27, 1984: Piper PA23160, Garbeville, CA, Destroyed. Dark night, no moon. Collided with rising terrain during climbout. No known mechanical defect found.

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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