# NTSB LAX85FA230: Piper PA-28-181, N8273L, Garberville, CA, April 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1985, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Garberville, CA
- Location: 40.1003° N, 123.7943° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garberville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1003&lon=-123.7943&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA230

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT DEPARTED SHELTER COVE, ELEVATION 69 FT, AND HEADED EAST TOWARD A 2000 FT HIGH MOUNTAIN LOCATED 1 3/4 MILES AWAY. THEY CONTINUED TO REPORT THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AT A SLOW RATE IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN AND CONTINUED OVER THE CREST INTO A CANYON WHERE IT CAME TO REST INVERTED. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER DEPARTING SHELTER COVE MOST PLTS FLY WEST OVER THE OCEAN TO GAIN ALT BEFORE TURNING EAST TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8273L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288190048
- Airframe hours: 1357
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rivercity Air Charter
- Registered owner: Gene Marsh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 25, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: 0Q5, SHELTER COVE, CA
- Destination: SAC, SACRAMANTO, CA
- Airport: 0Q5, Shelter Cove

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 200 total, 2 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850428073989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850428073989A), Apr 28, 1985: Piper PA28181, Garberville, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck a tree on a mountain ridge during climb after takeoff. Normal departure route was over water and hazy.

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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