# NTSB SEA88LA174: Piper PA-24-400, N8541P, Gasquet, CA, September 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1988, 18:45 local (Sep 9, 1988, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Gasquet, CA
- Coordinates: 41.839244, -123.850685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8392&lon=-123.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted (cause)
  - go-around - performed
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE TURNED FINAL APPROACH, INTENSE SUNGLARE WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE PLT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND 'IN THE BLIND,' AND COLLIDED WITH TREES IN APPROACH PATH. THE ACFT REMAINED FLYABLE AND THE PILOT DIVERTED TO MEDFORD, OREGON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8541P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8541P-2024-03-16), registration cancelled 2024-03-16, S/N 26-122, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400) (registry code 7102408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 122
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth L. Young
- Registered owner: Oceanview Orthopedic Med. Cntr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Destination: CEC, CRESCENT CITY, CA
- Airport: 0O9, Ward Field, runway 24, 2,990 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19880908038489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880908038489A), Sep 8, 1988: Piper PA24400, Gasquet, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to land at destination,diverted to canyon strip. Blinded by sun on final,clipped tree. Diverted to medford,OR

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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