# NTSB LAX80FA086: Piper PA-24, N6674P, Ngrapevine, CA, April 20, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 20, 1980
- Place: Ngrapevine, CA · NGRAPEVINE, CA
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FA086
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FA086

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3205  80/4/20    NGRAPEVINE, CA      PIPER PA-24         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 40, 280
        TIME - 2000                    N6674P              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 108 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VISALIA, CA                 SANTA ANA, CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  5000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      65
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          330                                                       50
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- INFLT ADVRY FOR SVR TURBC WAS VALID FOR TIME AND AREA.RECOVERY DATE 4/23/80.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6674P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6674P-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 24-1798, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (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 19800420010109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800420010109A), Apr 20, 1980: Piper PA24, Grapevine, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Wing separated in flight from severe turbulence in mountain pass, 50MPH wind. No weather briefing.

## Other investigations on N6674P (2)

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 LAX74DUG49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74DUG49), Apr 5, 1974: Piper PA-24 (N6674P), La Verne, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI67D0633](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67D0633), Apr 29, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N6674P), Washington, IN, 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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