# NTSB LAX85LA164: Piper PA-28-140, N8468R, Healdsburg, CA, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1985, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Healdsburg, CA
- Coordinates: 38.630607, -122.890861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6306&lon=-122.8909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - emergency procedure - simulated, check pilot
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PVT PLT & AN INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) WERE ON A BFR INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS FLT, THE PVT PLT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE PIC. THE CFI REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS AT 3500 FT AGL, HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO SIMULATE AN ENG FAILURE. THE PVT PLT ESTABLISHED THE ACFT IN A PATTERN TO THE ARPT. AFTER CROSSING OVER THE ARPT AT ABOUT 1200 FT AGL, HE MANEUVERED TO LAND ON RWY 31. HOWEVER, ON FINAL APCH, THE ACFT ENTERED A RAPID SINK RATE & SUBSEQUENTLY HIT A FENCE BEFORE REACHING THE RWY. THE FLAPS WERE RETRACTED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8468R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22373
- Airframe hours: 3798
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Rued
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 22, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Airport: 031, Healdsburg Muni, runway 31, 2,570 × 31 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 283 total, 116 in this make and model, 247 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850303005259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850303005259A), Mar 3, 1985: Piper PA28140, Healdsburg, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft struck fence during simulated engine failure. Encountered downdraft on final approach.

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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