# NTSB LAX83FXQ02: Piper PA-28-235, N1931T, Mammoth Lakes, CA, January 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1983, 18:05 local (Jan 4, 1983, 02:05 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.579669, -118.840469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5797&lon=-118.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FXQ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FXQ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE FROM THE MAMMOTH LAKES ARPT (ELEV 7128 FT), THE ACFT WAS SLOW TO CLIMB & ENG POWER BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. IT WAS DARK & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE DEPARTURE ARPT, SO HE BEGAN AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE NORTHBOUND LANES OF HIGHWAY 395. ALL OF THE TRAFFIC WAS SOUTHBOUND IN THAT AREA. THE PLT HAD DIFFICULTY SEEING THE NORTHBOUND LANES. DURING THE LANDING, THE RIGHT WING HIT A SNOWBANK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO CAUSE FOR THE ENG MALFUNCITON WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1931T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7110017
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Klein Gilhousen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1982
- Departed: MMF, MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: MMF, Mammoth

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 344 total, 180 in this make and model, 277 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 10 °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 19830103000689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830103000689A), Jan 3, 1983: Piper PA28235, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Engine power deteriorated after takeoff. Pilot headed back to airport but was forced to attempt landing on highway.

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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