# NTSB LAX97LA013: Piper PA-28-181, N2501X, San Diego, CA, October 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 1996, 03:23 local (10:23 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.770645, -117.140052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7706&lon=-117.1401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29661/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA013 ## Probable cause the student pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his subsequent flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions (power lines). Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, and fog. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, unknown - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause) - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis According to information from the flying club that had operational control of the airplane, the airplane was taken without permission by a student pilot, who was a former member of the club. A police report was filed. Later, an investigation revealed that the student had taken the airplane after attending a party where he met his passenger. At about 0045 PDT, the student took off on a night flight. After about 2.7 hours of flight time, the airplane collided with high tension power lines, which were strung diagonally across a major city freeway. The accident site was 1.5 miles from the departure airport, and the power lines were about 75 feet above the pavement. The 0315 PDT weather at the airport was in part: 400 feet overcast, visibility 3 miles with fog, and wind calm. A toxicology test of the pilot's blood (drawn shortly after the accident) showed an alcohol level of 80 mg/dl (0.08%). Witnesses indicated that the pilot had been drinking beer at a party until almost midnight. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 1996, at 0323 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N2501X, collided with some power transmission wires about 1.5 mile south of Montgomery Field airport, San Diego, California. The airplane was operated by Plus One Flyers, Inc., a flying club, at Montgomery Field. The airplane was taken without permission by the student pilot, a former club member. The airplane was destroyed. The student pilot and his passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from Montgomery Field about 0045. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the flying club, the airplane was stolen and a report was filed with the San Diego Police Department. Police investigation revealed that the student had taken the airplane after attending a party where he met his passenger. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors who examined the accident site and the aircraft, the airplane's hobbs meter indicated the pilot had flown 2.7 hours before hitting the wires. The high tension power lines contacted by the aircraft are strung diagonally across a major city freeway and are about 75 feet above the pavement and about 1.5 miles from the airport. The visibility in the accident area was obscured by fog. California Highway Patrol technicians drew blood from the pilot after he had been transported to the hospital. According to the test results from the CHP, the pilot's blood-alcohol level was 0.08 mg/dl. Review of the student pilot's application for a medical certificate and student pilot certificate reveal his total pilot time on July 14, 1995, was 64 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2501X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2501X-1997-04-08), registration cancelled 1997-04-08, S/N 288590079 (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: 28-8590079 - Airframe hours: 4733 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Plus One Flyers - Registered owner: Kevin Teel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1996, 36 hours before - Departed: MYF ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 67 total, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SAN, 5 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 19961012032079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961012032079A), Oct 12, 1996: Piper PA28181, San Diego, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft struck power lines and crashed. (.4)according to information from the flying club that had operational control of the airplane, the airplane was taken… ## Other investigations on N2501X (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 LAX94LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA077), Dec 24, 1993: Piper PA-28-181 (N2501X), San Diego, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH. 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.