# NTSB LAX84FA328: Piper PA-31-350, N6GW, Baker, CA, June 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1984, 00:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Baker, CA
- Coordinates: 35.310096, -116.040092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3101&lon=-116.0401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA328

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED & BURNED ON A ROUGH LAVA BED. THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 1 MI NORTHEAST OF A ROAD WHERE DRUG SMUGGLING ACFT HAD BEEN KNOWN TO LAND IN THE PAST. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT COCAINE HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE WRECKAGE HAD BEEN CAMOUFLAGED BY PLACING LAVA ROCKS ON THE SHINY PIECES OF METAL. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE PLANE HAD CRASHED IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE WHILE IN A LANDING CONFIGURATION. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 2930 FT. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS DISCOVERED ON 6/2/84. THE ACTUAL TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6GW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6GW-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 31-7405139, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7405139
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## 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 19840602024149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840602024149A), Jun 2, 1984: Piper PA31350, Baker, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Illegal drug flight crashed during attempted landing in desert.

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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