# NTSB LAX86FA007: Piper PA-28-151, N44207, Payson, AZ, October 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1985, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Payson, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.189918, -111.170913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1899&lon=-111.1709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA007

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER HAD A 10:00 MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AT THE DESTINATION AROT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED, RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PVT PLT, REQUESTED AND RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR A PROPOSED VFR FLT AT 7500 FT MSL FROM MESA TO HOLBROOK, AZ. THE WEATHER BRIEFING WAS ADEQUATE FOR THE FLT. THE PLT ENCOUNTERED A LOCALIZED SEVERE WEATHER PHENOMONA WHICH INCLUDED CUMULUS BUILD-UPS, CLOUDS DOWN TO THE GROUND, RAIN AND GUSTY SURFACE WINDS. WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED HEARING THE ACFT AND THE IMPACT SOUNDS, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE ACFT WRECKAGE 'UNTIL THE CLOUDS LIFTED.' THE ACFT IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A CLIFF-LIKE MOUNTAIN FEATURE AT THE 7360 FOOT MSL LEVEL IN A 31 DEGREE DESCENT ANGLE IN A 118 DEGREE RIGHT ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44207](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44207-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 28-7415602, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7415602
- Airframe hours: 2375
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warrior Enterprises, Inc
- Registered owner: Roger B. Putnam
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1985, 96 hours before
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: P14, HOLBROOK, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 6 in this make and model, 133 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 30 knots, gusting 40

## 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 19851008049659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851008049659A), Oct 8, 1985: Piper PA28151, Payson, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot lost control after encountering IFR weather in mountainous terrain. Impacted a slope near the rim.

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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