# NTSB LAX03LA079: Piper PA-28-140, N6087W, Tehachapi, CA, February 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 2003, 18:36 local (Feb 1, 2003, 02:36 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35, -118 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0000&lon=-118.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance above the surrounding terrain, and his evasive maneuver to avoid a perceived object. A factor in the accident was the dark night. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual illusion, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain at night during the approach to landing. During a night flight under visual flight rules, the pilot discovered the weather at his destination was instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) so he decided to divert to Tehachapi to wait for the weather to improve. He flew over the airport at 7,500 feet to check the wind T, which indicated runway 11 was the preferred landing runway. His flight guide specified right-hand traffic for runway 11. The pilot entered the right traffic pattern on a 45 degree entry for runway 11. After turning on right downwind he heard the mike "keyed" several times. Because of this, he felt another airplane might be in the area. He extended his downwind leg, looking for the other airplane. He did not see or hear any other airplanes. He then proceeded to turn right base and then final. The pilot saw the runway lights and began a standard descent. While on final approach, he observed a red light just slightly left of the airplane's windscreen. He immediately flew the airplane to the right, away from the light. Moments later, the airplane impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 2003, at 1836 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6087W, collided with terrain during the approach to landing at Tehachapi, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal cross-country flight departed Long Beach (LGB), California, about 1700, en route to Benton Field (085), Redding, California, but diverted to Tehachapi due to weather en route and at Redding. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement the pilot said he was on a VFR flight to 085. During the flight he discovered the weather at 085 was in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) so he decided to divert to Tehachapi to wait for the weather to improve. He flew over the airport at 7,500 feet to check the wind T, which indicated runway 11 was the preferred landing runway. His flight guide specified right-hand traffic for runway 11. The pilot entered the right traffic pattern on a 45 for runway 11. After turning on right downwind he heard the mike "keyed" several times. Because of this, he felt another airplane might be in the area. He extended his downwind leg, looking for the other airplane. He did not see or hear any other airplanes. He then proceeded to turn right base and then final. The pilot saw the runway lights and began a standard descent. While on final approach, he observed a red light just slightly left of the airplane's windscreen. He immediately flew the airplane to the right, away from the light. Moments later, the airplane impacted the ground. Initially the pilot thought he had hit another airplane, but knew otherwise when dirt entered the cockpit. He said the airplane first hit on the nosewheel. The propeller then contacted the ground and the airplane rolled. The pilot stated that the airplane traveled approximately 100 yards from the point of impact and came to rest inverted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6087W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6087W-2003-10-31), registration cancelled 2003-10-31, S/N 28-20101, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-20101 - Airframe hours: 3382 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William R. Ditmars - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 2002, 73 hours before - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Airport: KTSP, Tehachapi, runway 11, 4,035 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 21, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,056 total, 545 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KMHV, 17 nm away ## 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 20030131001039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030131001039A), Jan 31, 2003: Piper PA28140, Tehachapi, CA, Destroyed. (-23) On 01/31/2003 N6087W was destroyed as a result of controlled flight into terrain. The pilot was enroute from long beach, CA to redding, CA. The private… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56443. 382 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 357 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40177519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40213927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF 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.