# NTSB LAX86FA042: Piper PA 28-151, N43602, Lebec, CA, November 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1985, 19:55 local (Nov 18, 1985, 03:55 UTC)
- Place: Lebec, CA
- Coordinates: 34.859279, -118.870613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8593&lon=-118.8706&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): 24883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA042

## 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 - mountain wave (cause)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - artcc service - inadequate, atc personnel(artcc) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING A PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING THAT FORECAST STRONG HEADWINDS, OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, SEVERE TURBULENCE AND PIREPS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE ON THE PROPOSED FLT ROUTE. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT AND HIS STUDENT INSTRUMENT PLT TOOK OFF FOR A NIGHT IFR TRAINING FLT. THE ACFT ENTERED A MOUNTAIN WAVE AND DESCENDED INTO A MOUNTAIN. ALTHOUGH ANOTHER ACFT IN THE AREA SUGGESTED THE DESCENDING ACFT MAKE A 180 TURN THERE WAS NO EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE PLT TO MANEUVER THE ACFT OUT OF THE WAVE OR THE ARTCC CONTROLLER TO DIRECT THE ACFT TO REVERSE COURSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43602](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43602-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 287415535 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287415535
- Airframe hours: 4640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero Assoc. Of Cal. Tech, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985, 60 hours before
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL

## 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 19851117057589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851117057589A), Nov 17, 1985: Piper PA28151, Lebec, CA, Destroyed. Unable to maintain altitude over mountains in strong headwinds and downdrafts. Descended into clouds, hit mountain.

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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