# NTSB LAX86FA107: Piper PA-28-181, N8338N, Fort Bragg, CA, February 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1986, 22:03 local (Feb 7, 1986, 06:03 UTC)
- Place: Fort Bragg, CA
- Coordinates: 39.490886, -123.73925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4909&lon=-123.7392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA107

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - spiral - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ARRIVING AT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY ARPT, AT ABOUT 1630 PST, THE PLT & PAX OBTAINED A CAR & WENT TO MENDOCINO FOR DINNER. DRG THE EVENING, THEY CONSUMED SVRL DRINKS & HAD A BOTTLE OF WINE WITH THEIR DINNER, THEN WENT BACK TO THE ARPT. ALTHO IT WAS A DARK NGT, THE PLT TOOK OFF (TWD THE OCEAN AT APRX 2200 PST) WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE RWY LGTS. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT DEPARTED ON A SOUTHERLY HDG OVR AN AREA WITH 'VERY FEW GROUND LIGHTS.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED IN A REDWOOD FOREST ABOUT 1 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT. AN INV REVEALED THAT THE INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WHILE THE ACFT WAS DSCNDG IN A SHALLOW DIVE ON A WESTERLY HDG. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK INDICATED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.204%. THE LAST ENTRY IN HIS LOG BOOK FOR A NGT FLT WAS DATED 5/15/83.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8338N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8338N-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 28-8190169, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8190169
- Airframe hours: 1755
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lets Fly, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gilbert A. Nankivil
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 6, 1985, 55 hours before
- Departed: 048
- Destination: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Airport: Mendocino County, runway 29, 5,250 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 265 total, 265 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19860206002279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860206002279A), Feb 6, 1986: Piper PA28181, Ft Bragg, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Descended into trees shortly after takeoff from unlit runway. No ground lights. Pilot had been drinking.

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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