# NTSB LAX86LA031: Piper PA-28-181, N21491, Angwin, CA, November 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1985, 11:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Angwin, CA
- Coordinates: 38.569377, -122.439964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5694&lon=-122.4400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, takeoff - roll/run
  - radio communications - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

NEAR THE COMPLETION OF A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT WITH A PRE-SOLO STUDENT, THE CFI FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED IN THE AIM 7 & ANNOUNCED HIS CESSNA ACFT'S POSITION OVER THE CTAF STATING HIS INTENTIONS & IDENTIFYING HIS LOCATION ON THE 45 DEG. ENTRY & DOWNWIND LEGS. THE CFI FAILED TO TRANSMIT HIS POSITION ON THE FINAL APPROACH LEG, & FAILED TO OBSERVE A PIPER ACFT ON ITS TAKEOFF ROLL. THE PLT IN THE PIPER ACFT, WHO WAS PREPARING TO DEPART, FAILED TO ANNOUNCE HIS INTENTIONS & POSITION ON THE TAXIWAY/RWY, FAILED TO OBSERVE THE INBND CESSNA & RENCE FAILED TO GIVE THAT ACFT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AS REQUIRED. AS THE PIPER WAS BEING ROTATED FOR TAKEOFF THE CESSNA DESCENDED ONTO & COLLIDED WITH IT. THE PIPER PLT ABORTED HIS TAKEOFF, & THE CESSNA LANDED WITHOUR FURTHER MISHAP. BOTH PLTS REPORTED THAT THE PRESENCE OF TALL TREES LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE RWY'S APPROACH HAD OBSTRUCTED THEIR VISION.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

NEAR THE COMPLETION OF A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT WITH A PRE-SOLO STUDENT, THE CFI FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED IN THE AIR & ANNOUNCED HIS CESSNA ACFT'S POSITION OVER THE CTAF STATING HIS INTENTIONS & IDENTIFYING HIS LOCATION ON THE 45 DEG, ENTRY & DOWNWIND LEGS. THE CFI FAILED TO TRANSMIT HIS POSITION ON THE FINAL APPROACH LEG, & FAILED TO OBSERVE A PIPER ACFT ON ITS TAKEOFF ROLL. THE PLT IN THE PIPER ACFT, WHO WAS PREPARING TO DEPART, FAILED TO ANNOUNCE HIS INTENTIONS & POSITION ON THE TAXIWAY/RWY. FAILED TO OBSERVE THE INBND CESSNA & RENCE FAILED TO GIVE THAT ACFT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AS REQUIRED. AS THE PIPER WAS BEING ROTATED FOR TAKEOFF THE CESSNA DESCENDED ONTO & COLLIDED WITH IT. THE PIPER PLT ABORTED HIS TAKEOFF, & CESSNA LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER MISHAP. BOTH PLTS REPORTED THAT THE PRESENCE OF TALL TREES LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE RWY'S APPROACH HAD OBSTRUCTED THEIR VISION.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N21491](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21491-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N 28-7990051, built 1978 (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: 28-7990051
- Airframe hours: 2698
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Union College Flight, doing business as Center
- Registered owner: Gerald Abel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1985, 53 hours before
- Departed: 203, ANGWIN, CA
- Destination: 203, ANGWIN, CA
- Airport: 203, Virgil O. Parrett Field, runway 34, 3,217 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N24932](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24932), registered now, S/N 15280456, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (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: 15280456
- Airframe hours: 3159
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Union College Flight, doing business as Center
- Registered owner: Emmitt Tetz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 31, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: 203, ANGWIN, CA
- Destination: 203, ANGWIN, CA
- Airport: 203, Virgil O. Parrett Field, runway 34, 3,217 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N21491; age 39; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,547 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N24932; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,450 total, 3,100 in this make and model, 5,294 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19851103075221A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851103075221A), Nov 3, 1985: Piper PA28181, Angwin, CA, Minor damage. Did not see traffic on final. At rotation 24932 came over the top. Tail damaged windshield. Did not hear radio call
- [Accident 19851103075222A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851103075222A), Nov 3, 1985: Cessna 152, Angwin, CA, Substantial damage. Did not see other aircraft until flare for landing. Propeller of 21491 struck empenage. Used radio in pattern.

## Other investigations on N21491 (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 ATL99LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA008), Oct 10, 1998: Piper PA-28-181 (N21491), Spartanburg, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to manage the fuel supply which resulted in fuel starvation to the engine.

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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