# NTSB LAX86FA289: American AA-1A, N6339L, Santa Paula, CA, July 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1986, 01:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.400043, -119.069641 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4000&lon=-119.0696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA289

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER WORKING FOR OVER 13.5 HOURS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY 160 MILES TO HIS HOME. THE 1.3 HOUR FLT WAS INITIATED BETWEEN 0100 AND 0200. IT WAS A DARK NIGHT AND ACCORDING TO PERSONS IN THE ACCIDENT AREA A 200-400 FT BROKEN/OVERCAST CLOUD LAYER WAS PRESENT. THERE IS NO PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APCH FOR THE PLTS DESTINATION ARPT. SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS ON BOARD FOR A DIVERSION TO AN ALTERNATE ARPT, BUT THE PLT CONTINUED INTO SANTA PAULA. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH 28 DEG UPSLOPING TERRAIN AT AN ALT OF 800 FT MSL, APRX 2 MILES FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6339L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6339L-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N AA1A-0339, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Aviation Corp. (AAC) AA-1A
- Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA1A-0339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William Davies
- Registered owner: William Davies
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1986, 76 hours before
- Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, military, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NTD, 14 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 19860713032129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860713032129A), Jul 13, 1986: Gulstm AA1A, Santa Paula ___, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted a hill at night. Suspect the pilot encountered fog or made an authorized IFR approach.

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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