# NTSB LAX84FA459: Piper PA-28-140, N15699, Yucaipa, CA, August 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1984, 10:24 local (17:24 UTC)
- Place: Yucaipa, CA
- Coordinates: 34.039066, -117.010231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0391&lon=-117.0102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA459
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA459

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED WITH ITS' WING DIPPING AS IT FLEW LOW OVER A VALLEY. THE ACFT THEN TOUCHED DOWN IN A FLD, COLLIDEDWITH A BOULDER AND A TRACTOR TRAILER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION. THE ACCIDENT SITE IS 6 MILES EAST OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT. THE TERRAIN BETWEEN THE ARPT AND THE ACCIDENT SITE SLOPES UP 6 DEG. ARPT ELEV 1572 FT, DENSITY ALT 4000 FT. ACCIDENT SITE ELEV 2650 FT, DENSITY ALT 5100 FT. OAT 90 DEG AND FLAPS EXTENDED DOWN 10 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15699](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15699-2011-07-13), registration cancelled 2011-07-13, S/N 28-7325138, built 1972 (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: 7325138
- Airframe hours: 3339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sheng-Jen Cheng
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1983, 27 hours before
- Departed: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 175 total, 104 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840827043649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840827043649A), Aug 27, 1984: Piper PA28140, Yucaipa, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Unable to outclimb rising terrain due to density altitude and load. Overran a rocky field and struck a truck.

## Other investigations on N15699 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW78FPM20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPM20), Jul 2, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N15699), Tulsa, OK, substantial damage

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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