# NTSB LAX86LA244: Piper PA-28-150, N1787P, Santa Margarita, CA, June 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1986, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Margarita, CA
- Coordinates: 35.310836, -120.270805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3108&lon=-120.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA244

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - comm/nav equipment - erratic (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIS NAVIGATION RADIO AND OVERFLEW HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME DISORIENTED, RAN ONE FUEL TANK DRY, AND THEN MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, SINCE HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. ON LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SETTLE ON THE WING AND PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1787P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1787P-2023-03-28), registration cancelled 2023-03-28, S/N 22-2560, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2560
- Airframe hours: 2166
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald W. Worley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Destination: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 495 total, 220 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °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 19860608025889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860608025889A), Jun 8, 1986: Piper PA22150, Santa Margarita, CA, Substantial damage. Landed in a field collapsing nose gear after running low on fuel. Pilot had overflown his destination airport.

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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