# NTSB LAX84FA452: Piper PA-28-161, N8451V, Vista, CA, August 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1984, 22:04 local (Aug 23, 1984, 05:04 UTC)
- Place: Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 33.200077, -117.249275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2001&lon=-117.2493&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): 23991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA452
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA452

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016263
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 30; 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

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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