# NTSB LAX85FA215: Piper PA-28-235, N9406W, Castaic, CA, April 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1985, 00:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Castaic, CA
- Location: 34.4774° N, 118.6327° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Castaic, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4774&lon=-118.6327&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA215

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO MULTIPLE CLOUD LAYERS AND MOUNTAIN OBSCUREMENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED THE FOLLOWING MORNING AT THE 3,500 FOOT ELEVATION IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9406W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-11112
- Airframe hours: 2239
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4135 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Oris L. Elder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 068, MARIPOSA, CA
- Destination: POC, LA VERNE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 178 total, 97 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 25 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 19850421016189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850421016189A), Apr 21, 1985: Piper PA28235, Castaic, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Flew into mountain side. Exact weather not known, but mountain obscuration turbulence forecasted. Alcohol in blood.

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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