# NTSB LAX90LA059: Piper PA28-181, N8138E, Santa Barbara, CA, December 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1989, 18:53 local (Dec 30, 1989, 02:53 UTC)
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Coordinates: 34.499038, -120.119804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4990&lon=-120.1198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A HILL DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS SOME TURBULENCE ON THE APPROACH, AND THAT THE APPROACH LOOKED LIKE A 'BLACK HOLE'. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS TOO LOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8138E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8138E-1990-10-18), registration cancelled 1990-10-18, S/N 288090176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090176
- Engines: Avco Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ortale, Richard
- Departed: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 492 total, 425 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA

## 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 19891229054369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891229054369A), Dec 29, 1989: Piper PA28181, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. Descended into side of a hill during dark night landing. Had landing light on. Failed to note low altitude.

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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