# NTSB LAX85LA321: Piper PA-28-235, N15548, Monterey, CA, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1985, 12:52 local (19:52 UTC)
- Place: Monterey, CA
- Coordinates: 36.599575, -121.879257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5996&lon=-121.8793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA321

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - engine assembly - erratic (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON A TRAINING FLIGHT TO PRACTICE HOLDING OVER A VOR INTERSECTION 12 MILES OFF SHORE. APPROXIMATELY 12MINUTES AFTER TAKE OFF THE PILOT DECLARED 'MAYDAY,ROUGH ENGINE', TO THE MONTEREY,CALFORNIA CONTROL TOWER CONTROL SPECIALIST. THE CONTROL SEPCIALIST OBSERVED THE ACFTS RADAR TARGET VANISH FROM HIS BRITE TUBE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1300 FEET. THE COAST GUARD RECOVERED A FEW PIECES OF DEBRIS FROM THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15548](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15548-1988-12-09), registration cancelled 1988-12-09, S/N 287310054 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7310054
- Airframe hours: 4609
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Monterey Navy Flying Club
- Registered owner: Oscar B. Wilson, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 1985, 52 hours before
- Departed: MRY, MONTEREY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,923 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 17 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 19850717031719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850717031719A), Jul 17, 1985: Piper PA28235, Monterey, CA, Destroyed. Uncontrolled descent into the ocean after reporting a rough engine. He had just climbed on top of a fog bank.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.