# NTSB LAX84FA467: Piper PA-23-235, N4967P, Rubidoux, CA, September 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1984, 14:34 local (21:34 UTC)
- Place: Rubidoux, CA
- Coordinates: 33.989818, -117.4402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9898&lon=-117.4402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA467
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA467

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,gust lock - not removed (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - locked (cause)
  - rotation - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained
  - stall - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT FAILED TO REMOVE THE CONTROL LOCK DURING HIS PREFLT INSPECTION; THUS, THE ELEVATOR CONTROL WAS LOCKED & NO PITCH CONTROL WAS AVAILABLE DURING THE TAKEOFF. ROTATION OCCURRED WHEN THE ACFT REACH FLYING SPEED. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE & ITS PITCH ANGLE CONTINUED TO INCREASE UNTIL THE ACFT DECELERATED & STALLED. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL, CRASHED & BURNED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4967P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-569
- Airframe hours: 2368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flavio Madariaga
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1984
- Departed: RIR
- Destination: PAHRUMP, NV
- Airport: R1R, Fla Bob, runway 24, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 22,750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840903045109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840903045109A), Sep 3, 1984: Piper PA23235, Rubidoux, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Neglected to remove homemade right control wheel lock during hasty departure. Stalled on climbout. Burned on impact

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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