# NTSB LAX87FA281: Piper PA-32R-301T, N82793, Monterey, CA, July 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1987, 10:11 local (17:11 UTC)
- Place: Monterey, CA
- Location: 36.6243° N, 122.0170° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MONTEREY RGNL (MRY), within about 3 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6243&lon=-122.0170&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA281

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, BY THE PILOT, WHILE EXCUTING A MISSED APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS RADAR VECTORED TO THE FINAL APPROACH FOR AN ILS LANDING. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE FINAL APPROACH FIX THE CONTROLLER CLEARED THE AIRCRAFT FOR THE APPROACH AND INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO CONTACT THE TOWER. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE INSTRUCTION THEN STATED THAT HE WAS STARTING A GO-AROUND. APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER THERE WAS AN UNINTELLIGIBLE RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS FOLLOWED BY A CALL FROM THE PILOT STATING, 'SEVEN NINER THREE IN TROUBLE'. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS FOLLOWED 16 SECONDS LATER BY, 'I HAVE I HAVE AN EMERGENCY BACK HERE'. THE CONTROLLER HAD NOTICED AN ASCENT 400 FEET ABOVE THE ASSIGNED ALTITUDE THEN THE RADAR WENT INTO COAST. A WITNESS IN A BOAT IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DIVE OUT OF A CLOUD AND COLLIDE WITH THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82793](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82793-2015-05-21), registration cancelled 2015-05-21, S/N 32R-8129001, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8129001
- Airframe hours: 708
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Van Bastelaar, Alphons J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MRY, Monterey Peninsula, runway 10, 6,597 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 528 total, 250 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 10 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 19870724037839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870724037839A), Jul 24, 1987: Piper PA32R301T, Monterey, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Lost control on second ILS approach attempt hit water. Near vertical impact.

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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