Piper PA-23-160 N3082P
8 September 2006 · Santa Maria, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 8 September 2006 at about 21:33 local time, a Piper PA-23-160 registered N3082P was involved in an accident near Santa Maria, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:33
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Santa Maria, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 34.8989, -120.4575
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-160
- Registration
- N3082P
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Santa Maria → Kernville
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX06FA289
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot, who did not possess an instrument rating, departed the airport on a downwind departure toward the mountainous terrain that was between the departure and destination airports. The cloud bases were uneven about 1,400 feet, and a witness observed the airplane as it disappeared into the haze. Review of recorded radar data revealed a radar target appeared to match the airplane's departure time and initial departure path. This target performed multiple climbs and descents while turning left and right at altitudes between 2,100 and 3,000 feet. The last target was in a position that was approximately over the accident site at the time that the accident occurred. Investigators found no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-23 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Dec 2006 | Piper PA 23-235 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Jun 2006 | Piper PA-23-250 | Faribault, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Aug 2006 | Piper PA-23-160 | Neresheim, Germany | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jan 2006 | Piper PA-23-160 | Phenix City, Alabama, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 7 Sep 2006 | Piper PA-23-250 | Newton, Mississippi, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Oct 2006 | Piper PA-23-250 | Marshall, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
All 1,716 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jul 2006 | Beechcraft A36 | Bakersfield, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jul 2006 | Learjet 55 | Van Nuys, California, United States | Clay Lacy Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 18 Dec 2006 | Beechcraft D95A | Gilroy, California, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 19 Oct 2006 | Boeing 737-790 | Los Angeles, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Oct 2006 | Williams BOWERS FLY BABY-1A | Oakdale, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Oct 2006 | Cessna 152 | Prunedale, California, United States | United Flight Services | Minor injuries | - |