# NTSB LAX83FA438: Piper PA-32R-301, N8139D, Redlands, CA, January 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1983, 10:48 local (18:48 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 33.999233, -117.120841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9992&lon=-117.1208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA438
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA438

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

AT 0638 PST, THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING ON A FLT TO SACRAMENTO, CA, AND WAS ADVISED THAT VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. AT 0800, HE RECEIVED ANOTHER BRIEFING & FILED A VFR FLT PLAN TO PALM SPRINGS, CA. DURING FLT, HE ADVISED PALM SPRINGS TOWER THAT IF HE COULD GET THRU THE WX, HE INTENDED TO CONTINUE ON TO SACRAMENTO. RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST APRX 7 MI WEST OF THE ARPT AT 2500 FT MSL. WHEN THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION, A SEARCH WAS BEGUN; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL 9/13/83. THE ACFT WAS FOUND BY HIKERS APRX 15 MI NORTHWEST OF REDLANDS , CA AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 6600 FT. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD CRASHED IN AN INVERTED, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. MOUNTAIN TOPS IN THE AREA RANGED FROM 10,831 TO 11,502 FT MSL. CLOUD BASES WERE REPORTED AT 2700 FT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S LOG BOOK, HE HAD FLOWN 5 HRS IN 1974, 1.4 HRS IN 1982 & 11.7 HRS IN 1983. THE CFI THAT CHECKED HIM OUT IN THE ACFT NOTED THAT IFR FLT WAS NOT RCMDD TIL HE RECEIVED MORE DUAL INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8139D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 801341
- Airframe hours: 750
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Capitol Skypark, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1982, 36 hours before
- Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Destination: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 767 total, 15 in this make and model, 357 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 10 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 19830127001879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830127001879A), Jan 27, 1983: Piper PA32R301, Redlands, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed into mountain at the 6600 foot level during IMC.pilot was instrument rated,not current.

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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