# NTSB LAX85FA322: Piper PA-28-181, N2640Q, Phelen, CA, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1985, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Phelen, CA
- Coordinates: 34.419475, -117.479209 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4195&lon=-117.4792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA322

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - hail
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - weather condition - turbulence
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - separation
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING 1 HOUR AND 20 MINUTES BEFORE TAKEOFF, THAT CAUTIONED OF LOWERING CEILINGS AND THUNDERSTORMS ALONG HIS PROPOSED FLT ROUTE, THE PLT TOOK OFF UNDER VFR. A FLT PLAN WAS NOT FILED. AS THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ITS CRUISE ALT OF 11500 FT, AN ARTC CONTROLLER, THAT WAS PROVIDING THE PLT WITH TRAFFIC ADVISORIES, ADVISED THE PLT THAT A BOEING 737 AHEAD OF HIS POSITION AND AT 12000 FT WAS REPORTING MODERATE HAIL AND TURBULENCE. THE CONTROLLER AND BOTH ACFT WERE ON THE SAME FREQUENCY. WHEN THE PA-28 REACHED THE LIMITS OF THE SECTOR IN WHICH IT WAS FLYING, THE CONTROLLER TERMINATED THE ADVISORY SERVICE. APRX 6 MINUTES LATER A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE PA-28, WITH ONLY ONE WING ATTACHED, SPIN OUT OF THE OVERCAST AND IMPACT A MOUNTAIN RIDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2640Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2640Q-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 28-7790410, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287790410
- Airframe hours: 1868
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary D. Dellegatte
- Registered owner: Elwood J. Travis, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1983, 99 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 237 total, 115 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCV, 17 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 19850719032719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850719032719A), Jul 19, 1985: Piper PA28181, Phelan, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Inflight airframe failure after entering area with hail. Turbulence as reported by a Boeing 737. Was warned by ATC.

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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