Piper PA-28-161 accident near Grass Valley, CA
On May 16, 1993, a Piper PA-28-161 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Grass Valley, CA. 2 people died.
- Date
- May 16, 1993
- Place
- Grass Valley, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 2 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- —
- Position
- 39.180°N, 120.981°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X12410
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On May 16, 1993, about 0235 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA 28 161, N26075, collided with trees during a go around near Grass Valley, California. The airplane was destroyed during the impact sequence and by the post impact fire. The certificated private pilot and one passenger received serious injuries and the two remaining passengers received fatal injuries. The airplane was rented by the pilot from the operator, Navajo Aviation, Concord, California, for the personal flight. The flight departed Tracy, California, about 0145 hours and was destined for Georgetown, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. In his written statement and his oral statement provided to a Deputy from the Nevada County, California, Sheriff's Department, the pilot said he and his three passengers departed Tracy about 0145 hours May 16, 1993. The pilot said he and his passengers, all of whom were family members, intended to fly to Georgetown for a weekend camping trip. In his written statement, the pilot said that while enroute from Tracy to Georgetown, "I became disoriented." He said his last known checkpoint was west of Placerville (California) Airport. He reported that as he approached what he thought was Georgetown, he activated the pilot controlled runway lights at the airport. He said that he noted that the runway direction was not correct for Georgetown. He reported that he rechecked his position using the airplane's navigational equipment. He stated: "I proceeded to Nevada County Airport thinking it was Georgetown." The
Probable cause
THE PILOT PREMATURELY RAISING THE AIRPLANE'S FLAPS AT AN AIRSPEED INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL MUSH CONDITION. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT.
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Browse: California · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
