# NTSB LAX83FA211: Piper PA-28-181, N9233K, Redlands, CA, April 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1983, 18:30 local (Apr 30, 1983, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 33.999954, -117.120246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0000&lon=-117.1202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA211

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE FLYING, THE PLT TOLD THE FBO THAT HE WOULD STAY IN THE LOCAL REDLANDS/RIVERSIDE, CA AREA. HOWEVER, AFTER TAKING OFF, HE FLEW TO LAS VEGAS, NV. HE DEPARTED LAS VEGAS AT 1636 PDT. WHEN HE DID NOT RETURN TO REDLANDS, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE WRECKAGE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND ABOUT 8 MI NORTH OF REDLANDS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHERE THE PLANE HAD CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 5300 FT. IMPACT OCCURRED AT THE BASE OF A CLIFF IN A CANYON AREA. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. RADAR INFO INDICATED THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT A SLOW SPEED JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT SITE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 2 MI NORTH OF THE LAST RECORDED RADAR POSITION. A WX STUDY SHOWED THAT THE BASES OF THE CLOUDS IN THAT AREA WAS ABOUT 4000 FT MSL & THE CLOUD TOPS WERE NEAR 5000 FT. FLT VISIBILITY IN CLOUDS WAS ZERO MI & MODERATE TURBULENCE WAS PROBABLE BELOW 10,000 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9233K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690231
- Airframe hours: 1979
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tri-State Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: George E. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1983, 55 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Airport: L35, Big Bear City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 82 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 9 knots
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830429070019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830429070019A), Apr 29, 1983: Piper PA28181, Big Bear, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Pilot continued VFR flight into clouds and flew into 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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