# NTSB LAX82FXQ05: Piper PA-28R-201, N2105M, Elko, NV, March 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1982, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Elko, NV
- Location: 40.8381° N, 115.7678° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elko, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8381&lon=-115.7678&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FXQ05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FXQ05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT PRODUCING POWER AND THE PLANE CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE. THE INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WITH A TREE AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 7000 FT MSL. A PIECE OF THE RIGHT WING TIP WAS FOUND NEAR THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT. THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE BASE OF A SECOND TREE AFTER THE PLANE TRAVELED ABOUT 270 FT DOWN A 20 TO 25 DEGREE SLOPE. THE PLANE CAME TO REST AFTER TRAVELING ANOTHER 135 FT DOWN A 10 DEGREE SLOPE. THE NEAREST OFFICIAL WEATHER OBSERVATION WAS AT ELKO, NEVADA WHICH WAS ABOUT 16 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE CRASH SITE. THE 1153 AND 1254 MST WEATHER OBSERVATIONS WERE: ESTIMATED 800 FT BROKEN, 1200 FT BROKEN, 5500 OVERCAST WITH 10 MILES VISIBILITY. THE ELEVATION OF THE ELKO MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IS 5135 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2105M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2105M-1982-08-26), registration cancelled 1982-08-26, S/N 28R-7837067, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 282437
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation World
- Registered owner: Aviation World
- Departed: WENDOVER, UT
- Destination: PALATHA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 265 total, 69 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 104 °F

## 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 19820314004309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820314004309A), Mar 14, 1982: Piper PA28R201, Elko, NV, Destroyed. Struck trees on mountain side during near vertical bank. No pre impact mechanical defects. Failed to clear terrain.

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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