# NTSB LAX88FA016: Piper PA-28RT-201, N43551, Buena Park, CA, October 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1987, 12:11 local (19:11 UTC)
- Place: Buena Park, CA
- Coordinates: 33.869815, -117.990409 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8698&lon=-117.9904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA016

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence

## Analysis

WHILE DEPG ON AN IFR FLT TO VFR CONDS, THE PLT FAILED TO PROVIDE THE CORRECT TRANSPONDER CODE PER ATC CLNC. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER (CTLR) REMINDED HIM TO SET THE CORRECT CODE & THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY REPLIED 'I'M HAVING A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW . . . I'VE GOT TO GET STRAIGHTENED AWAY . . .' THE CTLR AGAIN REMINDED THE PLT ABT THE CORRECT TRANSPONDER CODE & ADZD OF TRAFFIC AHEAD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BEGAN A SHALLOW DSCNDG LEFT TURN, THEN HIT THE TOPS OF 3 TALL PALM TREES, CRASHED IN AN APT COMPLEX & BURNED. SVRL WITNESSES RPRTD ENG PROBLEMS, BUT NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. ALTHOUGH PROPERLY CERTIFICATED FOR THIS FLT, THE PLT HAD RECENTLY FAILED AN INSTRUMENT FLT TEST. THE FAA WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REVOKING HIS INSTRUMENT PRIVILEGES. THE PLT RPRTDLY WAS EXPERIENCING SERIOUS PERSONAL & FINANCIAL PRBLMS STEMMING FROM HIS WIFE'S ILLNESS & EXTENSIVE HOSPITALIZATION; HIS FLT INSTRUCTOR RPRTD THESE PRBLMS WERE ADVERSELY AFFECTING HIS FLYING SKILLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N43551 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8431010
- Airframe hours: 1079
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB9 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: General Aviation Company
- Registered owner: Lewis T & Christine Hassman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1987, 82 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: PDT, PENDLETON, OR
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 445 total, 262 in this make and model, 346 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FUL, 2 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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