# NTSB LAX79FA060: Piper PA-32, N15325, Burmuda Dunes, CA, July 11, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 11, 1979
- Place: Burmuda Dunes, CA · BURMUDA DUNES, CA
- Location: 33.7435° N, 116.2873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bermuda Dunes, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7435&lon=-116.2873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FA060
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA060

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2782  79/7/11    BURMUDA DUNES,CA    PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 41, 680
        TIME - 2310                    N15325              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 670 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BURMUDA DUNES
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EL MONTE,CA                 BURMUDA DUNES,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        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                                                      80
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          310                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- POWER POLES.WIND GUSTING 20K.BLOOD ALCOHOL 0.19%
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15325](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15325-2009-06-30), registration cancelled 2009-06-30, S/N 32-7340037, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Burmuda Dunes

## 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 19790711039959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790711039959A), Jul 11, 1979: Piper PA32300, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Destroyed. Pilot hit wires on night VFR approach to airport. Tests revealed presence of alcohol in blood.

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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