# NTSB LAX97FAMS2: Piper PA-28-161, N8436X, Avalon, CA, February 11, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1997, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.380031, -118.450065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3800&lon=-118.4501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97FAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FAMS2

## 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

According to a friend, the owner/pilot went on a whale watching/spotting flight, and when the aircraft failed to return by a scheduled time, a search was initiated. The aircraft was determined to have landed at Santa Catalina Island. Radar data was obtained for the approximate time of departure. A VFR transponder code, assumed to be the accident aircraft, was tracked after departure from the island. At 1519:19 radar contact was lost over the water. A search by the Coast Guard was unsuccessful. The aircraft was presumed to have crashed in ocean waters near Avalon, CA; pilot injury was presumed to have been fatal.

## Factual narrative

On February 11, 1997, about 1520 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8436X, is presumed to have crashed into the Pacific Ocean while on a whale watching excursion.  The pilot is presumed to have been fatally injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed.  When the aircraft failed to return to the home base by 1500, a concerned party notified authorities.  After determining that the aircraft had landed at Catalina Airport, Avalon, California, radar data was obtained.  The approximate departure time was obtained from the unicom radio operator at Avalon.  A transponder code of 1200 was tracked after departure from Avalon.  The last recorded radar contact was at 1519:19 in the area of the Oceanside VOR on the 263 degree radial about 24.8 miles.

A search of the area between Avalon and the coastline by the U.S. Coast Guard had negative results.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8436X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8436X-1998-07-24), registration cancelled 1998-07-24, S/N 288116322 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116322
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald B. Trenton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AVX, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KMY, 55 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 19970211001569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970211001569A), Feb 11, 1997: Piper PA28161, Avalon, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Whale watching, concerned party reported overdue. Search is underway. (.4)according to a friend, the owner/pilot went on a whale watching/spotting flight, and…

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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