# NTSB LAX85FA059: Piper PA-34-200T, N2245F, Independence, CA, November 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1984, 14:36 local (22:36 UTC)
- Place: Independence, CA
- Coordinates: 36.83078, -118.239448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8308&lon=-118.2394&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): 24437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA059

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT RECEIVED TWO WX BRIEFINGS BEFORE THE FLT DURING WHICH HE WAS INFORMED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. FLT DEPARTED AT 1308 PST AND A SEARCH WAS INITITATED WHEN ACFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT IT'S DESTINATION. NTAP PRINT OUT INDICATED SEVERAL ALT CHANGES DURING THE FLT. WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON THE WEST FACE OF A MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT 11,800 FT MSL. DUE TO ELEVATION, TERRAIN AND SNOW, THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS INACCESSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATION. THE 1450 PST WX OBSERVATION AT BISHOP, CA, 32 MILES N OF THE SITE WAS 500 FT SCATTERED, E800 FT OVERCAST,WITH 3 MILES VISIBILITY IN LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2245F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7970059
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E1BA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dastrup Paving
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1984
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 90 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: B1H, 32 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 19841121063459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841121063459A), Nov 21, 1984: Piper PA34200T, Independence, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Continued VFR flight into mountainous terrain with lowering ceilings. Impacted mountain side. VFR 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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