# NTSB LAX84FU033: Pioneer Flightstar, Lowerlake, CA, September 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1984, 19:45 local (Sep 8, 1984, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Lowerlake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.880031, -122.549476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8800&lon=-122.5495&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): 24021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FU033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FU033

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE ULTRALIGHT FLEW AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL TOWARD A ROW OF OAK TREES BORDERING A PASTURE. IT THEN STRUCK A 60 FT TREE & CRASHED. TWO WITNESSES WHO KNEW THE PLT WELL STATED HE HAD 'BEEN DRINKING QUITE A BIT' ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THEY ALSO STATED THE PLT '...LIKED TO TRIM THE TOPS OF THE TREES' & HAD A REPUTATION AS 'A HOT DOG.' THE PLT'STHREE PREVIOUS CERTIFICATES, DATING FROM 1964, HAD EITHER BEEN REVOKED OR RESCINDED FOR VARIOUS FAR VIOLATIONS & MEDICALREASONS. HIS ORIG STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE WAS REVOKED IN 1964 FOR VARIOUS FAR VIOLATIONS INCLUDING UNWARRANTED LOW FLT NEAR OCCUPIED BOATS AT SEA. LATER APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATES WERE DENIED & REVOKED DUE TO 'A CLINICAL HISTORY OF A DISTURBANCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS WITHOUT SATISFACTORY MEDICAL EXPLANATION. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT WAS 0.08%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIONEER FLIGHTSTAR
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 116
- Engines: KAWASAKI TA440-436CC 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 103
- Operator: Paul Price
- Departed: LOWERLAKE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 40 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

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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