# NTSB LAX93FA066: Piper PA-31P, N55UF, Oceanside, CA, December 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1992, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Oceanside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.200229, -117.349769 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2002&lon=-117.3498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA066

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH THE OCEAN DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON (S).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER, HIS SON, DEPARTED FROM A CONTROLLED AIRPORT AT 1436 HOURS.  HE CLIMBED THE AIRPLANE TO ABOUT 5,200 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL.  RECORDED COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PILOT AND THE CONTROL TOWER DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.  RADAR DATA SHOWED THE PILOT IN A PROGRESSIVE CLIMB TO ABOUT 5,200 FEET.  AFTER MAINTAINING THAT ALTITUDE FOR OVER TWO MINUTES, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE OCEAN ABOUT ONE MILE OFFSHORE.  THE ENGINES AND PROPELLERS WERE RECOVERED AND EXAMINED.  THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE EXISTING DISCREPANCIES.  THE PROPELLERS HAD DEEP LEADING EDGE GOUGES, 'S' TWISTS, AND ONE BROKEN BLADE. NO PRE EXISTING DEFICIENCIES WERE FOUND DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S LOGBOOKS AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY REASON FOR THE AIRPLANE'S RAPID DESCENT AND ITS IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE OCEAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55UF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55UF-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 31P-7400182, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIGO-541SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tigo-541ser) (registry code 41539, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P-7400182
- Engines: LYCOMING TIGO-541-E1A 425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Timothy W. Eksted
- Registered owner: Timothy W. Eksted
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1992
- Departed: CRQ, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,790 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19921214050089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921214050089A), Dec 14, 1992: Piper PA31P, Oceanside, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Dive into ocean after ATC received trim out no power transmission from pilot. Unable to define exact problem.

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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