# NTSB LAX73AL021: Piper PA-28, N5909U, Big Bear, CA, November 5, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 5, 1972
- Place: Big Bear, CA · BIG BEAR, CA
- Location: 34.2611° N, 116.8450° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Bear City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2611&lon=-116.8450&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 22, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73AL021
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73AL021

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3493   72/11/5   BIG BEAR,CALIF      PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 50 TOTAL
        TIME - 0955                    N5909U              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 6 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BIG BEAR CITY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BIG BEAR,CALIF              RIALTO,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      60
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          260                                                       12
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TRIED TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN.DENS ALT 9000FT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5909U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5909U-1973-06-25), registration cancelled 1973-06-25, S/N 28-26895 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Big Bear City

## Other investigations on N5909U (1)

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 LAX72DUG13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUG13), Sep 9, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N5909U), Rialto, CA, 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.

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