# NTSB LAX86FA102: Piper PA-28-161, N2134M, Bridgeport, CA, January 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1986, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, CA
- Coordinates: 38.269653, -119.330856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2697&lon=-119.3309&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): 24897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA102

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG FLT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL UNDER A CLOUD LAYER, THEN IT DISAPPEARED IN A SNOW SHOWER. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED & THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND LATER IN THE DAY WHEN THE WX HAD IMPROVED. THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 1 MI WEST OF CONWAY SUMMIT AT AN ELEVATION OF 8800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2134M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2134M-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 287816252 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816252
- Airframe hours: 2969
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marilyn J. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1985, 79 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 252 total, 176 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMH, 32 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 19860130011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860130011009A), Jan 30, 1986: Piper PA28161, Bridgeport, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot continued flight into snowstorm. Aircraft impacted the side of a mountain. No survivors.

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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