Piper PA-22-108 N5052Z

Summary

On 29 October 1990 at about 06:36 local time, a Piper PA-22-108 registered N5052Z, operated by Vanderheide, Richard J., was involved in an accident near Oceanside, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 October 1990 at 06:36

Classification

Accident

Location

Oceanside, California, United States

Nearest airport

Oceanside Muni (L32)

Coordinates

33.1999, -117.3509

Aircraft

Piper PA-22-108

Registration

N5052Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Vanderheide, Richard J.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Camarillo

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

LAX91FA022

3 people died.

THE PILOT INITIATING AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT WITHOUT OPERATING AIR/GROUND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE AFTER APPARENTLY DECIDING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INOPERATIVE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT RESULTING IN THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION WITH ATC, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE DARK NIGHT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT HAD LANDED AT OCEANSIDE EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE PILOT HAD REMARKED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S COMM RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE AND THAT HE WAS USING A PORTABLE TRANSCEIVER TO COMMUNICATE WITH ATC. AFTER LEAVING THE AIRPORT FOR DINNER, THE PILOT ALSO REMARKED THAT HE HAD LEFT THE TRANSCEIVER 'ON' AND THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RADIO'S BATTERY CHARGE. AT 2130 THE PILOT AND HIS FAMILY WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE. THE PILOT CONTACTED FSS BY TELEPHONE FOR A WEATHER BRIEFING AND TO FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT DID NOT CONTACT ATC AFTER TAKEOFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A CANYON 1/2 MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. ON-SCENE EVIDENCE DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE INITIALLY STRUCK A RIDGE WHILE IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE ON A HEADING OF 080 DEGREES. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH A COURSE REVERSAL IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.