# NTSB LAX86FA084: Piper PA-28-181, N8283T, Livermore, CA, January 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1986, 23:00 local (Jan 8, 1986, 07:00 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.679138, -121.749153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6791&lon=-121.7492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ABOUT A MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. IFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE; HOWEVER, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD TOLD HIS WIFE THAT THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR WHEN HE TELEPHONED HER FROM THE AIRPORT PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE. WITNESSES IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH INDICATED VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 15-20 FEET DUE TO DENSE FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8283T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8283T-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 28-8116064, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116064
- Airframe hours: 1823
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Flight Of Oxnard
- Registered owner: Jeffrey G. Rusk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1985, 36 hours before
- Departed: LVK
- Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Airport: LVK, Livermore

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 147 total, 41 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

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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