# NTSB LAX87FAMS2: Piper PA-44-180T, N8307H, Missing Acft (Pacific Ocean), February 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1987, 18:16 local (Feb 25, 1987, 02:16 UTC)
- Place: Missing Acft (Pacific Ocean)
- Coordinates: 34.010395, -118.459266 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0104&lon=-118.4593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FAMS2

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) & THE SINGLE-ENG, PVT PLT (OWNER) WERE ON A FLT TO CONDUCT MULTI-ENG TRAINING FOR THE NEW OWNER. DRG THE FLT, THE CREW CONTACTED LOS ANGELES TRACON & REQUESTED A VOR APCH TO THE SANTA MONICA ARPT & SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAINT VFR. TRACON ASSIGNED AN ALT OF 3000' & STARTED PROVIDING VECTORS TO THE FLT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WERE LOST AS IT WAS FLYING OVER OCEAN WATERS ABOUT 12 MI WEST OF LOS ANGELES. NEITHER THE ACFT NOR THE OCCUPANTS WERE FND. THE ACFT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE CRASHED IN THE OCEAN & THE CREW WERE PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN FATALLY INJURED. RAINSHOWERS & A THUNDERSTORM WERE RPRTD TO BE IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8307H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8307H-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N 44-8107032, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180t) (registry code 7104404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t0-360-series) (registry code 41528, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 448107032
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward H. Grinstead
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 792 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 12 nm away

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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