# NTSB LAX03CA263: Piper PA-28-180, N15285, Pauma Valley, CA, August 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2003, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Pauma Valley, CA - Coordinates: 33.287223, -116.95639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2872&lon=-116.9564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57775 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57775/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA263 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. The rising terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain during a low altitude maneuver. The purpose of the flight was for the passenger to take photographs. The elevation in the area was 1,400 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot descended to 2,000 feet msl, slowed to 90 miles per hour (mph), and extended the flaps 10 degrees. During a turn with about 15 degrees angle of bank, the airplane lost 200 feet of altitude. He immediately rolled out of the turn, added full power, and encountered rising terrain. He began looking for a place to descend in order to "pick up some airspeed." A flat spot in a canyon was observed and he proceeded toward that area at 60 mph. After the pilot maneuvered around a house and power lines, the airplane impacted an oak tree, and came to rest inverted. The pilot's conclusion of the accident was that he was operating the airplane too low and allowed himself to become trapped in a canyon with rising terrain. No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2003, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N15285, collided with terrain while maneuvering at 500 feet in the vicinity of Pauma Valley, California. The airplane was operated by the Aerostar Companies, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and single passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual metrological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated at McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, at 1000. In a written statement, the pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to take photographs. His son accompanied him as the photographer. The elevation in the area was 1,400 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot descended to 2,000 feet msl, slowed to 90 miles per hour (mph), and extended the flaps 10 degrees. During a turn with about 15 degrees angle of bank, the airplane lost 200 feet of altitude. He immediately rolled out of the turn, added full power, and encountered rising terrain. He began looking for a place to descend in order to "pick up some airspeed." A flat spot in a canyon was observed and he proceeded toward that area at 60 mph. He turned the airplane to line up with the clearing and made further adjustments to the left to avoid a house. The pilot saw power lines and an oak tree in the airplane's path. He felt if he could clear the power lines, he could "dive toward the orchard." After clearing the power lines, the airplane impacted the oak tree, and came to rest inverted. The pilot's conclusion of the accident was that he was operating the airplane too low and allowed himself to become trapped in a canyon with rising terrain. No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15285](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15285-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 28-7305050, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7305050 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aerostar Companies, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,650 total, 600 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030825022299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030825022299A), Aug 25, 2003: Piper PA28180, Palma Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On Monday 8/25/2003, at approximately 1015PDT, a PA-28-180 owned by aero star inc., lewis, del. And operated by jack d. nickolison, crashed as a result… ## Other investigations on N15285 (2) 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. - [NTSB SEA76DYI14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYI14), Mar 26, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N15285), La Pine, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA74DYC50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYC50), May 15, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N15285), Mulino, OR, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.