On July 24, 1987, a Piper PA-32R-301T (registration N82793) was involved in an aviation accident near Monterey, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, BY THE PILOT, WHILE EXCUTING A MISSED APPROACH. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft on an ILS approach was cleared for landing but initiated a go-around. The pilot then declared an emergency, and the aircraft was observed diving from a cloud into water. Radar showed an altitude deviation before losing contact.
Incident Sequence
The aircraft was under radar vectoring to final approach for an ILS landing. As it neared the final approach fix, the air traffic controller cleared the aircraft for the approach and instructed the pilot to contact the tower. The pilot acknowledged this instruction and then stated that he was commencing a go-around. Approximately 30 seconds later, an unintelligible radio transmission was received from the aircraft. This was followed by a transmission in which the pilot said, "seven niner three in trouble." Another transmission came 16 seconds later: "I have I have an emergency back here."
Controller Observations
The controller noticed that the aircraft had ascended to 400 feet above its assigned altitude. Subsequently, the radar track entered coast mode, indicating a loss of radar contact.
Witness Account
A witness aboard a boat near the accident site observed the aircraft emerge from a cloud in a dive and collide with the water.
What happened in the 24 Jul 1987 Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Monterey, CA?
An aircraft on an ILS approach was cleared for landing but initiated a go-around. The pilot then declared an emergency, and the aircraft was observed diving from a cloud into water. Radar showed an altitude deviation before losing contact.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Jul 1987 involved a Piper PA-32R-301T, registration N82793, at Monterey, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, BY THE PILOT, WHILE EXCUTING A MISSED APPROACH.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…