Summary
On February 11, 1997, a Piper PA-28-161 (N8436X) was involved in an accident near Avalon, CA. The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
On February 11, 1997, about 1520 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8436X, is presumed to have crashed into the Pacific Ocean while on a whale watching excursion. The pilot is presumed to have been fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. When the aircraft failed to return to the home base by 1500, a concerned party notified authorities. After determining that the aircraft had landed at Catalina Airport, Avalon, California, radar data was obtained. The approximate departure time was obtained from the unicom radio operator at Avalon. A transponder code of 1200 was tracked after departure from Avalon.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX97FAMS2. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8436X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
undetermined.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On February 11, 1997, about 1520 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8436X, is presumed to have crashed into the Pacific Ocean while on a whale watching excursion. The pilot is presumed to have been fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. When the aircraft failed to return to the home base by 1500, a concerned party notified authorities. After determining that the aircraft had landed at Catalina Airport, Avalon, California, radar data was obtained. The approximate departure time was obtained from the unicom radio operator at Avalon. A transponder code of 1200 was tracked after departure from Avalon. The last recorded radar contact was at 1519:19 in the area of the Oceanside VOR on the 263 degree radial about 24.8 miles.
A search of the area between Avalon and the coastline by the U.S. Coast Guard had negative results.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97FAMS2