- Date
- August 22, 1984, 22:04 local (Aug 23, 1984, 05:04 UTC)
- Place
- Vista, CA
- Injuries
- 3 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N8451VPiper PA-28-161
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 23991
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
In flight encounter with weather
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequateFactor
Preflight briefing service - not obtainedFactor
Vfr flight into imc - inadvertentCause
Weather condition - low ceilingFactor
Weather condition - fogFactor
Light condition - dark nightFactor
In flight collision with terrain/water
Vfr flight into imc - continuedCause
Terrain condition - mountainous/hillyFactor
Analysis
According to a statement from the passenger who initially survived, the acft encountered fog shortly after takeoff and the plt was attempting to head inland to get out of the fog by reference to street lights. Shortly thereafter, while in a climb, ground reference was lost, followed by collision with rising terrain.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8451V
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-161
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-8016263
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-D3G, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- David E. Miles
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 28, 1984
- Departed
- OCN · Oceanside, CA
- Destination
- HMT · Hemet, CA
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 30
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 200° at 2 knots
- Visibility
- 4 statute miles
- Temperature
- 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- NFG, 11 nm away