# NTSB LAX91FA022: Piper PA-22-108, N5052Z, Oceanside, CA, October 29, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 1990, 22:36 local (Oct 29, 1990, 06:36 UTC) - Place: Oceanside, CA - Coordinates: 33.19989, -117.350883 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1999&lon=-117.3509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 6, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26962 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26962/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA022 ## Probable cause THE PILOT INITIATING AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT WITHOUT OPERATING AIR/GROUND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE AFTER APPARENTLY DECIDING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INOPERATIVE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT RESULTING IN THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION WITH ATC, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE DARK NIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - comm/nav equipment - inoperative (contributing factor) - comm/nav equipment,transceiver - inoperative (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - air/ground communications - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD LANDED AT OCEANSIDE EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE PILOT HAD REMARKED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S COMM RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE AND THAT HE WAS USING A PORTABLE TRANSCEIVER TO COMMUNICATE WITH ATC. AFTER LEAVING THE AIRPORT FOR DINNER, THE PILOT ALSO REMARKED THAT HE HAD LEFT THE TRANSCEIVER 'ON' AND THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RADIO'S BATTERY CHARGE. AT 2130 THE PILOT AND HIS FAMILY WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE. THE PILOT CONTACTED FSS BY TELEPHONE FOR A WEATHER BRIEFING AND TO FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT DID NOT CONTACT ATC AFTER TAKEOFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A CANYON 1/2 MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. ON-SCENE EVIDENCE DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE INITIALLY STRUCK A RIDGE WHILE IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE ON A HEADING OF 080 DEGREES. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH A COURSE REVERSAL IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5052Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5052Z-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 22-8676, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 228676 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vanderheide, Richard J. - Destination: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: L32, Oceanside Muni, runway 24, 3,061 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 834 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken - Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F - Observed at: NFG ## 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 19901028048499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901028048499A), Oct 28, 1990: Piper PA22108, Oceanside, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Departed with inop nav and com equipment IFR in night IMC. Collided with hill turning back to airport. ## Other investigations on N5052Z (2) 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. - [NTSB OAK73DVA37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73DVA37), Jan 25, 1973: Piper PA-22 (N5052Z), Visalia, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN65D0098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65D0098), May 23, 1965: Piper PA-22 (N5052Z), Montrose, CO, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.