# NTSB LAX82FA038: Piper PA-34-200T, N1956H, Near Las Vegas, NV, January 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1982, 21:20 local (Jan 5, 1982, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Near Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.129333, -115.1707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1293&lon=-115.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA038

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT, A PIPER PA-34, WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT TO TRANSPORT BANK CHECKS ON A PART 135 OPERATION. ANOTHER COMPANY PILOT IN A CESSNA 207 STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS AT 9500 FT WHILE HE WAS FLYING FROM TONOPAH TO LAS VEGAS, NV. THE CESSNA PILOT HAD TALKED TO THE PIPER PILOT ON THE RADIO. REPORTEDLY, THE PIPER PILOT WAS GOING TO STAY AT 9500 FT. THE WRECKAGE OF THE PIPER WAS FOUND AT THE 9500 FT LEVEL IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, ABOUT 30 MILES WEST OF LAS VEGAS. THE CRASH SITE WAS ON THE WEST SIDE OF MT CHARLESTON. THE AIRCRAFT HAD IMPACTED A SLOPE OF ABOUT 30 DEGREES, WHILE TRAVELING ON AN EASTERLY HEADING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1956H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1956H-2009-07-10), registration cancelled 2009-07-10, S/N 34-7770160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-770160
- Airframe hours: 2391
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Lang Air Service
- Registered owner: Steven D. Hanks
- Departed: TPH, TONOPAH, NV
- Destination: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,505 total, 297 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 97 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRA, 25 nm away

## 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 19820104000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820104000609A), Jan 4, 1982: Piper PA34200T, Las Vegas, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a mountain en route at night. Clouds reported at level of impact. Pilot judgment a factor.

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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