# NTSB LAX86LA015: Piper PA-28R-201T, N47340, Concord, CA, October 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1985, 19:48 local (Oct 14, 1985, 02:48 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Coordinates: 37.999946, -122.030288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9999&lon=-122.0303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS LANDING AT NIGHT AT THE CONCLUSION OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLT. ON ENTRY TO THE DOWNWIND FOR FWY 19R, THE PLT ASKED THAT THE APPROACH LIGHTS BE TURNED UP FULL BRIGHT. ON SHORT FINAL, THE PLT SAID SHE ENCOUNTED EXCESSIVE GLARE IN HER CONTACT LENSES FROM THE APPROACH LIGHTS WHICH DISTRACTED HER. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, COLLIDING WITH BOTH THE APPROACH LIGHTS AND AN AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47340](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47340-1989-01-12), registration cancelled 1989-01-12, S/N 28R7703359 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7703359
- Airframe hours: 1658
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TS10-360-FBI 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Navajo Aviation
- Registered owner: Mihran Krikorian
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Airport: CCR, Buchanan Fld, runway 19, 4,712 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total, 12 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CCR

## 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 19851013076259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851013076259A), Oct 13, 1985: Piper PA28R201T, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot said that the approach lights caused excessive glare in her contact lenses. Landed short,hit approach lights.

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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