# NTSB LAX86FA002: Piper PA-38-112, N24126, Paradise, CA, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1985, 18:30 local (Oct 6, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Paradise, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740142, -121.609291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7401&lon=-121.6093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA002

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - snow covered
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, FOR AN AFLIGHT ORENTATION, THE HIGH TIME (OVER 2 4000 FLT HOURS) PILOT DESCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE OF APPROX. 300 OVER A LAKE. THE PILOT WAS THEN FLYING UP A TWISTING ARM OF THE LAKE, IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN INTO UNMARKED ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES THAT CROSS THE LAKE. AFTER THE WIRE STRIKE ON THE RIGHT ELEVATOR THE AIRCRAFT REVERSED COURSE ROLLED INVERTED AN IMPACTED THE GROUND ON THE SHORE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24126](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24126-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 3879A1088 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3879A1088
- Airframe hours: 1328
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred W. Potter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 21, 1985
- Departed: Q88, PARADISE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 24,108 total, 157 in this make and model, 24,000 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV

## 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 19851005054539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851005054539A), Oct 5, 1985: Piper PA38112, Paradise, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Hit powerlines spanning the northwest fork of lake oroville while flying low. Impacted ground near the shoreline.

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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