# NTSB LAX82FXQ14: Piper PA-38, N24641, Imlay, NV, September 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1982, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Imlay, NV
- Location: 40.6581° N, 118.1441° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Imlay, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6581&lon=-118.1441&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FXQ14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71140/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FXQ14

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLEW UP A CANYON IN WEATHER THAT OBSCURED THE RIDGES IN LOW VISIBILITY AND RAIN. CLOUDS ALSO COVERED THE TERRAIN. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEAR BEHIND A HILL AND A STORM OBSCURED HER VISION AND HEARING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED IN A BOX CANYON. THUNDERSTORMS AND HAIL WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N24641 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79AC711
- Airframe hours: 618
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward P. Preisendorfer
- Registered owner: Edward P. Preisendorfer
- Departed: CARSON CITY, NV
- Destination: PERSHING COMPAN, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 103 total, 76 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast

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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