# NTSB LAX85LA133: Piper PA-32-300, N30069, Big Bear, CA, February 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1985, 17:20 local (Feb 4, 1985, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear, CA
- Coordinates: 34.229881, -116.860305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2299&lon=-116.8603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER SPENDING THE DAY SKIING, THE PLT & PASSENGERS PLANNED TO DEPART ON A RETURN FLT TO SAN DIEGO. THE WIND WAS FROM 210 TO 220 DEG AT ABOUT 10 MPH. THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF ON RWY 7 SINCE LOW CLOUDS WERE APPROACHING FROM THE WEST & THE VISIBILITY WAS NEAR ZERO IN THAT DIRECTION. THE VISIBILITY TO THE EAST WAS APRX 2 MI. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT TRAVELED ABOUT 2500 FT & HAD ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH WHEN IT WAS ROTATED FOR TAKEOFF. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, IT VEERED LEFT, OVERRAN THE EDGE OF THE RWY & COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. NO PRE-ACCIDENT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 6750 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30069](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30069), registered now, S/N 32-7840195, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-32-300
- Airframe hours: 2020
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Volar Corp., doing business as Golden State Flying Club
- Registered owner: Walter Larsh & G. Clendenon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 27, 1984, 30 hours before
- Destination: SEE, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 7, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,154 total, 45 in this make and model, 935 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F

## 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 19850203004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850203004959A), Feb 3, 1985: Piper PA32300, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft rotated for downwind takeoff at low airspeed. Veered off side of runway into snowbank.

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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