# NTSB LAX84MA392: Piper PA-31T, Concord, CA, July 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1984, 12:12 local (19:12 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Coordinates: 38.000522, -122.029891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0005&lon=-122.0299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84MA392
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84MA392

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-31T WAS A FOREIGN REGISTERED ACFT (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY). THE OWNER/PLT IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT HELD A GERMAN COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH AIRPLANE INSTRUMENT, SINGLE ENG LAND & MULTI-ENG LAND RATINGS. THE PLT IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT HELD AN AMERICAN PRIVATE CERTIFICATE WITH AN AIRPLANE SINGLE ENG LAND RATING. DURING ARRIVAL, THE ACFT WAS CLEARED TO ENTER A RIGHT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 32R & WAS TO FOLLOW A DECATHLON THAT WAS LANDING ON THE SAME RWY. WHEN THE PA-31 AIRCREW CALLED TURNING ONTO A BASE LEG, THE TOWER ASKED IF THEY HAD THE DECATHLON IN SIGHT, BUT THEY DID NOT REPLY. THE DECATHLON PLT WAS THEN INSTRUCTED TO CHANGE HIS APCH TO 32L & WAS CLEARED TO LAND. THE PA-31 WAS OBSERVED TO OVERSHOOT THE TURN TO THE FINAL APCH COURSE TO RWY 32R. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT MADEAN ERRATIC, SLOW SPEED, NOSE HI TURN AT LOW ALT, THEN IT ENTERED A RIGHT TURN, NOSE DOWN SPIN, CRASHED & BURNED. IMPACT OCCURRED ON A GROUND STRUCTURE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT/PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. FIRE DMG TO 5 AUTOS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: DIKKS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8120034
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Klaus Schroter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Airport: CCR, Buchanan, runway 32, 4,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCR, 5 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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