# NTSB LAX81FA072: Piper PA-28, N9431W, Truckee, CA, February 13, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 13, 1981
- Place: Truckee, CA · TRUCKEE, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA072
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA072

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2949  81/2/13  NR.TRUCKEE,CA         PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 27, 57 TOTAL
        TIME - 1657                    N9431W              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NAPA,CA                     SALT LAKE CITY,UT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
           WEATHER - ICING CONDITIONS-INCLUDES SLEET,FREEZING RAIN,ETC.
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST/LOWER SCATTERED                                  9000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          ZERO                                                      SNOW, FREEZING RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     220
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           45                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 04/16/81.PLT TWICE DECLINED ATC SUGSTN TO TURN AROUND AFT RPTG ICE.FULL FUEL & CRGO.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9431W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9431W-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 28-11137, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (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 19810213019529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810213019529A), Feb 13, 1981: Piper PA28235, Truckee, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. VFR pilot departed on IFR flight plan into area of severe icing and turbulence. Lost control. Struck mountainside.

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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