# NTSB LAX85FA076: Piper PA-60-601P, N601FP, Mammoth Lakes, CA, December 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1984, 16:00 local (Dec 17, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.579166, -118.83982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5792&lon=-118.8398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - rotation - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - disabled (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - notams - issued, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - notams - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOOKOFF FROM AN ARPT WHOSE RWYS HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR SNOW REMOVAL. A NOTAM HAD BEEN FILED WITH THE FRESNO FSS BY THE MAMMOTH LAKE ARPT MGR AT 0900 HRS FOR TAXI AND RWY SNOW REMOVAL. THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE NOTAM BECAUSE THE MGR AND A LINEMAN BOTH SAID THEY ADVISED HIM OF IT. SEVERAL WITNESSES SAW THE PLT ENTER THE ACFT AFTER DECLINING ENG PRE-HEAT OR ACFT DE-ICING. WHEN ADVISED BY THE LINEMAN THAT THE 2 QTS OF OIL THAT THE PLT REQUESTED DID NOT 'REGISTER ONTHE DIP-STICK.' THE PLT ORDERED ANOTHER QT TO BE 'THROWN' IN & 'HURRY UP.' NO PRE-FLT OR WARM UP OR BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECK WAS NOTED BY OBSERVERS. TURNING IMMEDIATELY ONTO THE RWY AND ROLLING FOR TAKEOFF THE PLT PASSED A SNOW PLOW. THE ACFT USED 7000 FT (ALL OF THE RWY) AND LEFT THE GROUND IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ARPT ELEVATION IS 7128 FT MSL. THE ACFT FIRST STRUCK A DIRT MOUND 3/4 OF A MILE AFTER TAKEOFF. AFTER MAINTAINING FURTHER FLT FOR APRX 280 FT WHICH CROSSED A SMALL RAVINE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE FAR SIDE OF THE RAVINE & STARTED TO BREAK APART, STOPPING 144 FT FURTHER EAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N601FP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P059779626
- Airframe hours: 15974
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-U2A 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Meyer Guyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1984, 1,428 hours before
- Departed: MMH, MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Airport: MMH, Mammoth Lakes, runway 9, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,408 total, 533 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19841216076469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841216076469A), Dec 16, 1984: Piper PA60601P, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Destroyed. Attempted takeoff from NOTAM closed runway with ice on wings and tail. Could not climb and struck dirt mound.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.