# NTSB LAX87FA172: Piper PA-28-161, N4304F, Malibu, CA, April 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1987, 21:11 local (Apr 10, 1987, 04:11 UTC)
- Place: Malibu, CA
- Coordinates: 34.059959, -118.809631 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0600&lon=-118.8096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA172

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & HIS 3 PASSENGERS MET AT A BAR THEN DECIDED TO GO ON A LOCAL NIGHT SCENIC FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN AS THE PLT WAS DEMONSTRATING LOW FLT OVER THE WATER. THE PLT & 1 PASSENGER WERE HOSPITALIZED & TREATED FOR INJURIES & HYPOTHERMIA. THE OTHER 2 PASSENGERS DIED FROM DROWNING. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER SAID THAT BEFORE THE FLT, SHE OBSERVED THE PLT CONSUME 'ONE CORONA' AFTER SHE ARRIVED AT THE BAR. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.02%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4304F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288316071
- Airframe hours: 1760
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rick Voorhies, doing business as Piper Air Center
- Registered owner: Salvatore Scarantino
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 26, 1987, 24 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 122 total, 111 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMD, 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 19870409008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870409008909A), Apr 9, 1987: Piper PA28161, Malibu, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. A wing struck the water while flying too close to surface at night. Aircraft sank. Alcohol appears to be involved.

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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