# NTSB LAX96FA091: Partenavia AF68TP Spartacus, N3116C, El Segundo, CA, January 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: January 9, 1996, 09:14 local (17:14 UTC) - Place: El Segundo, CA - Coordinates: 33.950698, -118.40026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9507&lon=-118.4003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96FA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29249/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA091 ## Probable cause loss of control for undetermined reasons. ## 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 ## Analysis According to radar data, the airplane was in level flight off the southern California coastline at 1,800 feet msl when it suddenly pitched up to 2,000 feet msl and then was lost from radar. The pilot was positioning the airplane for a contract flight. The airplane went down in waters 2,700 to 3,000 feet deep. The wreckage was not recovered; however, limited debris from the wreckage provided identification of the airplane. According to the operator, the autopilot would normally be used for cross-country flights. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 9, 1996, at 0914 hours Pacific standard time, a Partenavia, AF68TP Spartacus, N3116C, was destroyed after an uncontrolled descent into the Pacific ocean about 14 miles west-southwest of El Segundo, California. The pilot was presumed to have been fatally injured. According to a company search pilot, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident area about 1.5 hours after the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the positioning flight which originated at Oxnard, California, on the morning of the accident for a flight to San Diego, California. The aircraft departed Oxnard on a special VFR clearance. The tops of the clouds were reported to be about 1,200 feet msl. The aircraft transitioned southbound through the NAWS Point Mugu airspace. The Point Mugu radar approach control monitored the aircraft on radar for about 25 miles. The pilot was subsequently given a frequency change to SOCAL Tracon. There was no contact made with that facility. A search was initiated when the aircraft failed to arrive at the intended destination. A review of the recorded radar data revealed the aircraft was level at 1,800 feet msl and then climbed to about 2,000 feet msl, at which time it disappeared from radar. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to the operator, the ATP rated pilot had accumulated 8,963 total flight hours with over 1,000 hours in the airplane make and model. He had flown 32 hours in the past 30 days. On November 29,1995, he had successfully passed a first-class flight physical with no limitations. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane had accumulated 4,540 total flight hours. The last annual inspection was conducted 25 hours prior to the accident on December 19, 1995. The aircraft was equipped with a King KFC-150, autopilot system. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) scheduled weather observation at 0950 hours reported 500 feet scattered, 25,000 feet scattered, visibility 1.5 miles with fog and haze, temperature and dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit, wind 120 degrees at 3 knots, and the altimeter was 30.17 inHg of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The wreckage was not located. According to the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG), the water depth at the accident area was estimated to be between 2,700 and 3,000 feet deep. The identification of the aircraft was made from personal baggage and items belonging to the pilot, as well as components and paperwork from the aircraft that were found floating and retrieved by the USCG, and the Los Angeles County Harbor Master. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3116C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3116C-1996-11-19), registration cancelled 1996-11-19, S/N 8007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Partenavia AF68TP SPARTACUS (AF68TP SP) - Registry model: [Partenavia C.A. AP68TP SERIES 300](https://openairdocs.org/model/partenavia-c-a-ap68tp-series-300) (registry code 6780110) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8007 - Airframe hours: 4540 - Engines: Allison 250-B17 369 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Aspen Helicopter, Inc., doing business as Aspen Helicopters - Registered owner: The Partenavia V - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1995, 25 hours before - Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA - Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,963 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 8,803 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F ## 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 19960109000179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960109000179A), Jan 9, 1996: Parten AP68TP300, El Segundo, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Departed special VFR in fog. Radar contact lost en route. Wreckage found in ocean off shore. Pilot not found. 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.