# NTSB LAX85LA103: Piper PA-28-161, N29493, Beaumont, CA, January 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1985, 23:20 local (Jan 9, 1985, 07:20 UTC)
- Place: Beaumont, CA
- Coordinates: 33.939647, -116.969345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9396&lon=-116.9693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A PERSONAL VFR FLT TO SANTA BARBARA, CA, ON A DARK OVCST NIGHT. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS WITH LGT RAIN PREVAILED. GND WITNESSES RPTD THE ACFT WAS FOLLOWING THE HWY AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT RPTD HE INADVERTENTLY BEGAN FOLLOWING THE WRONG HWY AND THAT HE WAS TURNING THE ACFT TO THE LEFT TO REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT AND PASSENGER REPORTED THE ACFT AND ENGINE WERE PERFORMING NORMALLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29493](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29493-2012-01-30), registration cancelled 2012-01-30, S/N 28-7916433, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916433
- Airframe hours: 1963
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Morrison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984, 21 hours before
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 696 total, 166 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 14 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 19850108002169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850108002169A), Jan 8, 1985: Piper PA28161, Beaumont, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot followed wrong highway into rising terrain. During turn wing struck ground.

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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