# NTSB LAX85LA170: Piper PA-44-180T, N8278Y, S Lake Tahoe, CA, March 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1985, 19:10 local (Mar 9, 1985, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: S Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.8939° N, 119.9953° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKE TAHOE (TVL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8939&lon=-119.9953&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK DURING LNDG. THE PLT SAID HE NOTICED FOG MOVING IN AND AFTER TOUCHING DOWN HE STARTED BRAKING 'RIGHT AWAY'. A SKIDDING ACTION TOOK PLACE AND THE ACFT WENT TO THE LEFT INTO A SNOW BANK. NO MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL DISCREPANCIES OF A CAUSAL NATURE WERE REVEALED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8278Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8107025
- Airframe hours: 625
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene R. Grace
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TLV
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: TVL, S. Lake Tahoe, runway 18, 8,544 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,725 total, 16 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850308031379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850308031379A), Mar 8, 1985: Piper PA44180T, South Lake Taho, CA, Substantial damage. Started braking after touchdown to avoid fog layer moving across field. Aircraft skidded and ran into snowbank.

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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