# NTSB LAX84FA481: Piper PA-28-236, N8279L, Santa Paula, CA, September 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1984, 12:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399311, -119.069229 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3993&lon=-119.0692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA481
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA481

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing,wingtip - loss,total
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING RWY 22 AT SANTA PAULA ARPT, THE ACFT FLEW SW ALONG THE SANTA CLARA RIVER + STRUCK A TELEPHONE WIRE 2.6 SM FROM THE RWY END. WITNESSES SAW ACFT FLY LEVEL AT ABOUT 8O FT AGL WITH NORMAL POWER SOUNDS PRIOR TO WIRE CONTACT. THEWIRE STRIKE CAUSED THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE OUTBOARD LEFT WING PANEL AND THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A MARSHY PORTION OF THE RIVER BED ABOUT 450 FT BEYOND THE WIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8279L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288111012
- Airframe hours: 899
- Engines: LYCOMING O540J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mark N. Boss
- Registered owner: Christopher A. Kern
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1984, 73 hours before
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 22, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,800 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,620 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 9 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 19840915049219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840915049219A), Sep 15, 1984: Piper PA28236, Santa Paula, CA, Destroyed. Struck wire 80 feet above riverbed. Outboard wing panel torn off and aircraft impacted riverbed.

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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