# NTSB LAX83FA434: Piper PA-28-140, N56513, Big Bear, CA, September 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 20:20 local (Sep 11, 1983, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear, CA
- Coordinates: 34.22937, -116.859161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2294&lon=-116.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA434
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA434

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - performance data - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - below, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER A RUNUP, DURING WHICH THE MIXTURE WAS 'LEANED', THE ACFT DEPARTED RWY 25 AT BIG BEAR AIRPORT. HE STATED THAT THE NOSE OF THE ACFT WAS LOWERED TO 'GAIN 80 KTS IAS,' AND THAT THE ACFT 'CLIMBED TO APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 200 FT ABOVE THE LAKE AND WOULD CLIMB NO HIGHER.' THE ACFT THEN 'BEGAN A GRADUAL DESCENT,' AND STRUCK THE WATER AT '60 KTS IN WHAT SEEMED LIKE A LEVEL ATTITUDE.' INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS AT LEAST 294 LBS OVER GROSS WT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ALSO COMPUTED TO BE 8352 FT WHEN USING 60 DEG F AS A VALVE. THE RECORDED TEMP 15 NM AWAY WAS 86 DEG F. NO PRE-IMPACT DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING THE EXAMINATION OF ACFT WRECKAGE OR THE SUBSEQUENT ENG TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56513](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56513-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 28-73-25646, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325646
- Airframe hours: 4665
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bartlett Aviation
- Registered owner: Jess C. Bartlett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1983, 34 hours before
- Departed: L35, BIG BEAR, CA
- Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 25, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt

## 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; seat: left; flight hours: 195 total, 101 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 15 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 19830910049629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830910049629A), Sep 10, 1983: Piper PA28140, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Over gross weight and loaded aft of CG aircraft failed to climb after takeoff and settled into Big Bear lake.

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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