# NTSB LAX98LA172: Piper PA-28-161, N2480Q, Half Moon Bay, CA, May 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1998, 21:07 local (May 23, 1998, 04:07 UTC) - Place: Half Moon Bay, CA - Coordinates: 37.439853, -122.410316 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4399&lon=-122.4103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 4 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30097 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30097/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA172 ## Probable cause The non-instrument rated pilot's loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation in dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The non-instrument rated pilot rented the aircraft and was to return the it that evening. A pilot-witness recognized the accident aircraft parked on the ramp and reported that the aircraft was no longer there at 2130 when he departed. The pilot-witness stated that the weather conditions were 1,200 feet overcast, with tops at 2,500 feet, and a very dark night. Radar data disclosed a 1200 code secondary beacon at a mode C reported altitude of 300 feet just off the north end of the runway at 2103:03. The next 12 beacon returns depicted a climbing left downwind departure that achieved an altitude of 1,700 feet. The final return displayed a 900-foot altitude at 2106:03. Several ground witnesses located on the shore south of the airport reported they heard an approaching plane and saw it flying low northbound along the beach just after 2100. They could not see the color of the aircraft, but could see the lights on its wings. The witnesses stated that the engine made a sputtering sound. The airplane continued north and began to climb. They heard a high pitched whining sound and the plane rolled left and out of their sight. The witnesses then reported that they heard a loud crash. The next day, a fisherman pulled aboard a seat that was determined to be from a Piper PA-28. Fragmented human remains were found by search units washed up on shore, with articles of clothing identified by family members as belonging to the pilot. A wallet containing identification from one of the passengers was also later found on the beach. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 1998, at 2107 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2480Q, descended into the Pacific ocean after takeoff from the Half Moon Bay, California, airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and the private pilot and three passengers all suffered fatal injuries. The personal flight originated from the Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, California, at 1850, and stopped at Half Moon Bay. No flight plan was filed. A pilot-witness who departed from the airport about 30 minutes after the accident aircraft reported the weather conditions as 1,200 feet overcast, with tops at 2,500 feet. The witness also noted that it was a very dark night with only a 10 percent moon illumination. The pilot rented the aircraft from Inbound Aviation at the Reid-Hillview airport, and was to return the aircraft that evening. About 1930, the pilot-witness reported seeing the accident aircraft parked on the ramp at the Half Moon Bay airport when he arrived from San Jose. He stated that he recognized the aircraft as one operated by Inbound Aviation. He further reported that the aircraft was no longer there at 2130 when he departed for San Jose. Employees of a restaurant in Half Moon Bay reported serving four men who matched the descriptions of the men believed to have been onboard the accident aircraft. Several ground witnesses were located on the shore south of the airport just after 2100, and reported that they heard an approaching plane and saw it flying low northbound along the beach. They all said that they could not see what color the plane was, but could see the lights on its wings. The witnesses stated that the engine made a sputtering sound. The airplane continued north and began to climb. The engine made a high pitched whining sound and the plane rolled left and out of their sight. The witnesses then reported they heard a loud crash. They were unable to tell if the aircraft had hit the ocean or land, but were sure that the plane had crashed. The owner of the aircraft issued an ALNOT on March 23, 1998, when he found it missing from the ramp. On that same day, a fisherman in Half Moon Bay pulled aboard a seat that was determined to be from a Piper PA-28. Fragmented human remains were found by search units washed up on shore, with articles of clothing identified by family members as belonging to the pilot. A wallet containing identification from one of the passengers was also later found on the beach. Radar data was retrieved from the Oakland Air Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). Review of the data disclosed a 1200 code secondary beacon at a mode C reported altitude of 300 feet just off the north end of the Half Moon Bay runway at 2103:03. The next 12 beacon returns depicted a climbing left downwind departure that achieved a mode C reported altitude of 1,700 feet. The next and final return displayed a 900-foot altitude at 2106:03. A friend of the pilot reported to the San Mateo County Sheriff's office that she had spoken with the pilot approximately 1645 on the day of the accident. He told her that he was going to fly his "normal route" to Half Moon Bay at 1800, and would be home at approximately 2100. The pilot was supposed to telephone her upon his return; however, she did not hear from the pilot again. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating. He possessed a third-class medical dated March 10, 1997. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airman database, none of the other three passengers possessed pilot certificates. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2480Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2480Q-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 28-8516067, built 1985 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8516067 - Airframe hours: 7379 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Inbound Aviation - Registered owner: Gregory Marconet - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: HAF, HALF MOON BAY, CA - Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA - Airport: HAF, Half Moon Bay, runway 30, 5,000 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 155 total, 31 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 260° at 19 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °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 19980522046479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980522046479A), May 22, 1998: Piper PA28161, No damage. (-23) A/c departed reid-hillview airport on 5/22/98 enroute to half moon bay airport (haf). Aircraft spotted on ramp at haf on 6/22/98 at 1930 but, not see on… 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.