# NTSB LAX93LA109: Piper PA-31, N16SC, Columbia, CA, February 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1993, 22:30 local (Feb 1, 1993, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109874, -120.379981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1099&lon=-120.3800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS WHICH MAY HAVE AFFECTED THE PILOT'S PERCEPTUAL AWARENESS OF THE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT AND THE CUES FOR A PROPER VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE GUIDANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE TURNED ON A ONE TO ONE AND ONE HALF MILE BASE FOR RUNWAY 35 AND KEYED HIS MICROPHONE TO ACTIVATE THE PILOT CONTROLLED LIGHTING SYSTEM. THE PILOT SAID THAT ON FINAL APPROACH HE NOTICED THAT THE VASI LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING.  HE FURTHER REPORTED THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE ON FINAL APPROACH UNTIL ABOUT 200 FEET AGL WHEN HE SAID HE BECAME AWARE OF A LOSS IN ALTITUDE.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BEGAN APPLYING POWER TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND THEN OBSERVED A TREE TOP PASS THE COPILOTS WINDOW. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WING HAD COLLIDED WITH THE TREE. AN FAA INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE TREE CONTACTED BY THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 30 FEET TALL AND LOCATED ABOUT 600 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16SC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16SC), registered now, S/N 31-639, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31) (registry code 7103103) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-639
- Airframe hours: 5108
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A2B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Richard L. Stockton
- Registered owner: Tom Elpin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 20, 1992, 16 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: O22, Columbia, runway 35, 4,060 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,601 total, 663 in this make and model, 7,055 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930131001319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930131001319A), Jan 31, 1993: Piper PA31310, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. On final right wing struck a tree. Landed safely. Was too low on approach.

## Other investigations on N16SC (1)

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 ANC25LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA117), Oct 1, 2025: Piper PA-31 (N16SC), Kotlik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

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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