# NTSB SEA85LA180: Piper PA-30, N7AT, Jarbridge, NV, July 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1985, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Jarbridge, NV
- Coordinates: 41.890674, -115.389526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8907&lon=-115.3895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA180

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE LEFT WING WAS RAISED BY A GUST OF WIND. DURING CORRECTION THE AIRCRAFT THEN YAWED RIGHT. ALMOST FULL AILERON WAS USED TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.  INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED NO ENGINE OR CONTROL MALFUNCTION.  IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SOME SORT OF DOWN DRAFT OR OTHER WEATHER PHENOMENON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7AT-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 3097 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-97
- Airframe hours: 3521
- Engines: LYCOMING I-0320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alvin V. Tassano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 8, 1984, 46 hours before
- Departed: JARBRIDGE, NV
- Destination: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Airport: Diamond A Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,406 total, 1,347 in this make and model, 3,264 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 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 19850728065529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850728065529A), Jul 28, 1985: Piper PA30, Jarbridge, NV, Destroyed. After wing dipped on takeoff a yaw developed. Reduced power and struck ground. Passengers foot on right rudder.

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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