# NTSB LAX82FUJ25: Piper PA-23-250, N40291, Bagdad, AZ, January 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1982, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Bagdad, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.500431, -113.070823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5004&lon=-113.0708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUJ25
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUJ25

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY FROM PHOENIX TO BAGDAD, AZ UNDER A LOW OVERCAST. WHEN IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE TOO POOR FOR A LANDING THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK HIGH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40291](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40291-1982-03-02), registration cancelled 1982-03-02, S/N 277305106, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7305106
- Airframe hours: 4850
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Cyprus Bagdad Copper Co
- Registered owner: Cyprus Bagdad Copper Co
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: BAGDAD, AZ
- Airport: E51, Bagdad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 14,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast

## 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 19820121001719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820121001719A), Jan 21, 1982: Piper PA23250, Bagdad, AZ, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into mountain after attemtping landing at nearby airport where weather prevented landing.

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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