# NTSB LAX77FUG58: Piper PA-28, N1116X, 29 Palms, CA, August 16, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 16, 1977
- Place: 29 Palms, CA · 29 PALMS, CA
- Location: 34.1356° N, 116.0542° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Twentynine Palms, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1356&lon=-116.0542&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 21, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 145432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FUG58
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUG58

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3504  77/8/16  NR.29 PALMS,CA        PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 207
        TIME - 2038                    N1116X              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 85 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          FARMINGTON,NM               SANTA ANA,CA                 PALM SPRINGS,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - PARTIAL BRIEFING BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE/RADIO, LIMITED BY PILOT ACTION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  LOW ON FUEL
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 2000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- OVERFLEW SUITABLE ARPTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1116X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1116X-1980-10-10), registration cancelled 1980-10-10, S/N 28-7515390, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19770816035289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770816035289A), Aug 16, 1977: Piper PA28151, 29 Palms, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Overflew suitable arpts.

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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