# NTSB LAX80FA071: Piper PA-24, N7358P, Tehachapi, CA, March 25, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 25, 1980
- Place: Tehachapi, CA · TEHACHAPI, CA
- Location: 35.1430° N, 118.4460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tehachapi, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1430&lon=-118.4460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FA071
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA071

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1375  80/3/25    TEHACHAPI,CA        PIPER PA-24         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 47, 1000
        TIME - 1745                    N7358P              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 400 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BRAWLEY,CA                  VISALIA,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - SNOW
        WEATHER BRIEFING - PARTIAL BRIEFING BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE/RADIO, LIMITED BY PILOT ACTION
        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
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          NONE                                                     315
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           18                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FSS ADZD VFR FLT NOT RCMDD NORTH OF PALMDALE.HIT MTN SLOPE 4500FT MSL.RECOVERY DATE 3/30/80.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7358P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7358P-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 24-2536, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, 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 19800325008169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800325008169A), Mar 25, 1980: Piper PA24250, Tehachapi, CA, Destroyed. Struck side of ridge trying to fly through a pass VFR in heavy snow storm. Advised VFR not recommended.

## Other investigations on N7358P (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 CHI69F0594](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0594), Apr 13, 1969: Piper PA-24 (N7358P), Marysville, MI, 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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