# NTSB LAX78FA043: Piper PA-18, N1256A, Upland, CA, May 22, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 22, 1978
- Place: Upland, CA · UPLAND, CA
- Location: 34.1161° N, 117.6599° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Upland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1161&lon=-117.6599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA043
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA043-202550

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1555  78/5/22  NR.UPLAND,CA          PIPER PA-18         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 28, 254
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N1256A              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 15 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CABLE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          MESA,AZ                    UPLAND,CA                     CHIRIACO SUMMIT,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  1800
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       61
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- HIT MTN 2900FT MSL.RECOVERY DATE 4/15/79.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1256A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1256A-2009-06-26), registration cancelled 2009-06-26, S/N 18-1052, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-125) (registry code 7101812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Cable

## 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 19780522045449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780522045449A), May 22, 1978: Piper PA18, CA, Destroyed

## Other investigations on N1256A (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 MKC70DDQ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70DDQ12), Jan 25, 1970: Piper PA-18 (N1256A), Altamont, SD, 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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