# NTSB DCA88MA008: British Aerospace BAE-146-200, N350PS, San Luis Obispo, CA, December 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1987, 16:16 local (Dec 8, 1987, 00:16 UTC)
- Place: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450706, -122.100906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4507&lon=-122.1009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 43 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15893
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA88MA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15893/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA88MA008

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - security - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - procedure inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - control interference - intentional, passenger (cause)
  - sabotage - intentional, passenger (cause)
  - emotional reaction, passenger (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command
  - incapacitation, copilot/second pilot
  - suicide - intentional, passenger
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A RECENTLY DISCHARGED USAIR EMPLOYEE BOARDED PSA FLT 1771 AFTER HAVING LEFT A GOODBYE MESSAGE WITH FRIENDS. HE BYPASSED SECURITY AND CARRIED ABD A BORROWED 44 CALIBER PISTOL. A NOTE WRITTEN BY THIS PSGR, FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE, THREATENED HIS FORMER SUPERVISOR AT USAIR, WHO WAS ABOARD THE FLT. AT 1613, THE PLT RPTD TO OAKLAND ARTCC THAT HE HAD AN EMERGENCY AND THAT GUNSHOTS HAD BEEN FIRED IN THE AIRPLANE. WITHIN 25 SECONDS, OAKLAND CTR CONTROLLERS OBSERVED THAT PSA 1771 HAD BEGUN A RAPID DESCENT FM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER. WITNESSES ON THE GND SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS INTACT AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FIRE BEFORE THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GND IN A STEEP NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. THE CVR TAPE REVEALED THE SOUNDS OF A SCUFFLE AND SEVERAL SHOTS WHICH WERE APPARENTLY FIRED IN OR NEAR THE COCKPIT. THE PISTOL WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WITH 6 EXPENDED ROUNDS. FAA RULES PERMITTED AIRLINE EMPLOYEES TO BYPASS SECURITY CHECKPOINTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N350PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N350PS-1993-04-14), registration cancelled 1993-04-14, S/N E2027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRITISH AEROSPACE BAE-146-200 (BAE-146-20)
- Registry model: [British Aerospace BAE 146 SERIES 200](https://openairdocs.org/model/british-aerospace-bae-146-series-200) (registry code 1500265) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E2027
- Airframe hours: 8571
- Engines: LYCOMING ALF 502-R3 6700 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Pacific Southwest Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Destination: SFO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,600 total, 1,600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: LAX

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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