# NTSB LAX84LA027: Piper PA-28R-200, N5021S, San Diego, CA, October 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1983, 19:17 local (Oct 23, 1983, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.700408, -117.190856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7004&lon=-117.1909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA027

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment - other (contributing factor)
  - control tower service - not possible, pilot in command
  - fss service - selected, pilot in command
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING NORTH ISLAND NAS (NAVAL AIR STATION), THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE FREQUENCIES, BUT THE MEGAHERTZ (MHZ) TUNING KNOB CAME OFF AT A SETTING OF 122.1 MHZ. HE COULD STILL USE THE KNOB FOR TUNING TENTHS OF A MHZ, SO HE CONTACTED SAN DIEGO FSS ON 122.1 MHZ & ADVISED OF HIS SITUATION. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT VIOLATING THE MEXICAN BORDER & NEARBY CONTROL AREAS & WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HEAVY NAVY JET TRAFFIC AT THE NAS AS WELL. THEREFORE, THE PLT ASKED THE FSS TO OBTAIN CLEARANCE FOR HIM TO RETURN TO NORTH ISLAND FOR LANDING. IN THE MEANTIME, THE PLT FLEW OUT OVER THE OCEAN TO WAIT FOR A CLEARANCE. WHEN THE CLEARANCE WAS RECEIVED, HE TURNED THE ACFT TO PROCEED TOWARD NORTH ISLAND & BEGAN HIS PRELANDING CHECKS. HE ROLLED OUT OF THE TURN WITH THE GEAR DOWN & THE LANDING LIGHT ON. HE FELT CERTAIN THAT HE WAS AT ABOUT 1000 FT ABOVE THE SURFACE, BUT AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ACFT CONTACTED THE WATER. THE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED FROM THE ACFT BEFORE IT SANK & WERE PICKED UP BY A FISHING BOAT, HRS LATER. THERE WAS FOG, HAZE & 2 MI VIS SW OF NORTH ISLAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5021S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5021S-1984-08-02), registration cancelled 1984-08-02, S/N 28R-35755 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R35755
- Airframe hours: 3912
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: North Island Navy Flying Club
- Registered owner: Leon H. Ower
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1983, 75 hours before
- Departed: NZY, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 447 total, 20 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NZY, 5 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 19831022060099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831022060099A), Oct 22, 1983: Piper PA28R200, San Diego, CA, Destroyed. Pilot allowed aircraft to collide with water while passenger was searching for radio knob set screw.

## Other investigations on N5021S (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX77FUM23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUM23), Mar 23, 1977: Piper PA-28R (N5021S), San Diego, CA, substantial damage

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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