# NTSB LAX86FA233: Piper PA 28-236, N43504, Chino, CA, May 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1986, 02:36 local (09:36 UTC)
- Place: Chino, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000625, -117.679687 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0006&lon=-117.6797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA233

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition (contributing factor)
  - mental performance overload, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT, OVERFLEW HIS HOME AIRPORT BY 23 NAUTICAL MILES UPON RETURNING FROM A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND DESCENDED INTO A HILL. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE PLT HAD FLOWN 10 HRS DURING THE LAST 24 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43504](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43504-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 28-8411015, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8411015
- Airframe hours: 419
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: California Aviation
- Registered owner: Herbert L. Michel, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1986, 137 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CNO, Chino

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 115 total, 14 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 7 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 19860527019349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860527019349A), May 27, 1986: Piper PA28236, Chino, CA, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. The aircraft struck a hill during a night approach. The VFR pilot apparently lost ground references due to haze.

## Other investigations on N43504 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX85LVA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LVA01), Mar 31, 1985: Piper PA28-236 (N43504), Porterville, CA, substantial damage

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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