# NTSB LAX93FAMS2: Piper PA-28-181, N81453, Missing Acft, CA, December 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1992, 12:14 local (20:14 UTC)
- Place: Missing Acft, CA
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FAMS2

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## 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

ON DECEMBER 6, 1992 AT 1054 HOURS, THE PILOT TELEPHONED RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA FAA FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (FSS) AND REQUESTED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR HIS INTENDED FLIGHT FROM HIS DEPARTURE AIRFIELD TO HIS DESTINATION. THE FSS BRIEFER TOLD THE PILOT THAT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES FLIGHTS WERE NOT RECOMMENDED FROM HIS INTENDED DEPARTURE LOCATION TO HIS DESTINATION. THE PILOT ASKED IF THE WEATHER WAS GOING TO IMPROVE OR GET WORSE. THE FSS BRIEFER SAID THE WEATHER WOULD CONTINUALLY GET WORSE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE PILOT DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH HIS PLANNED FLIGHT. THE PILOT, WITH HIS 3 PASSENGERS ABOARD, WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF AT 1203 HOURS. THE PILOT CONTACTED FAA DEPARTURE CONTROL AND RECEIVED ADVISORIES UNTIL RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED AT 1214 HOURS. NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECORDED FROM THE PILOT. WHEN THE AIRPLANE AND ITS OCCUPANTS DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION FAMILY MEMBERS NOTIFIED LOCAL AUTHORITIES. A SEARCH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DAMAGE AND INJURY CLASSIFICATION ARE PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81453](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81453-1994-11-17), registration cancelled 1994-11-17, S/N 288090216 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090216
- Airframe hours: 3851
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: Garry E. Abel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1992, 75 hours before
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private, foreign; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 100° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 1 nm away

## 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 19921206049479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921206049479A), Dec 6, 1992: Piper PA28181, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Became missing on flight from santa barbara to palo alto. No trace found. VFR flight not recommended.

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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