# NTSB LAX84FA068: Piper PA-28-236, N4291R, Wikieup, AZ, November 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1983, 20:25 local (Nov 21, 1983, 03:25 UTC)
- Place: Wikieup, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.790279, -113.37059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7903&lon=-113.3706&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): 23910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA068

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight advisories - issued, atc personnel(artcc)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT OBTAINED 2 WX BRIEFINGS & WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE DEPARTED AT 1730. SEVERAL REQUESTS WERE MADE FOR EN ROUTE WX FROM LAS VEGAS FLT WATCH. AT 1945, THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & INDICATED THAT HE WAS LOST. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN & OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT 6500 FT MSL & HE BELIEVED HE WAS OVER THE COLORADO RIVER. ATC HAD DIFFICULTY IDENTIFYING THE ACFT DUE TO HIS LOW ALT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. AT 2015, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS POSITION WAS 42 MI EAST OF NEEDLES, CA. HE REPORTED TRACKING 260 DEG TO NEEDLES, DETOURING AROUND CLOUDS. THE LAST COMMUNICATION WAS AT 2023 WHEN HE SAID HE ALMOST HIT A MOUNTAIN, HAD TO DESCEND & WAS TURNING BACK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A 45 DEG SLOPE AT 6500 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4291R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4291R-1991-01-30), registration cancelled 1991-01-30, S/N 288311010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8311010
- Airframe hours: 130
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Deer Valley Avionics
- Registered owner: William J. & Kathleen Beck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1983, 58 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 56 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 19831120059389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831120059389A), Nov 20, 1983: Piper PA28236, Wikieup, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into a cloud obscured mountain at night. Thunderstorms in area. Was advised VFR flight not recommended.

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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