# NTSB LAX80FA020: Piper PA-24, N5664P, Alturas, CA, November 24, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 24, 1979
- Place: Alturas, CA · ALTURAS, CA
- Location: 41.4891° N, 120.5513° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alturas, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4891&lon=-120.5513&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FA020
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA020

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3509  79/11/24 NR.ALTURAS,CA         PIPER PA-24         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 595
        TIME - 1036                    N5664P              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 2 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ALTURAS,CA                   VAN NUYS,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY WEATHER BUREAU PERSONEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 11-26-79.MTN TOPS OBSCD IN CLDS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5664P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5664P-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N 24-736, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19791124042039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791124042039A), Nov 24, 1979: Piper PA24, Alturas, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Hit mountain just below crest. Possible downdraft while trying to climb through hole in overcast.

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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