Piper PA-23-160 accident near Santa Maria, California, September 8, 2006
On September 8, 2006 at about 9:33 pm local time, a Piper PA-23-160, registered N3082P, was destroyed in an accident near Santa Maria, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 8, 2006 · about 9:33 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Maria, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-160 · all PA-23-160s on the register
- Registration
- N3082P · registry record · serial 23-1002
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 824 hours in all; 477 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,159 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 4,800 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming O-320-A3B (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming O-320-A3B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMX Santa Maria CA at 9:28 pm
- Destination: L05 Kernville CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,400 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 pm from SMX, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.