# NTSB LAX86FA178: Piper PA-28-181, N28891, Beaumont, CA, April 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1986, 22:25 local (Apr 16, 1986, 06:25 UTC)
- Place: Beaumont, CA
- Coordinates: 33.940563, -116.970413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9406&lon=-116.9704&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): 24908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA178

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHEN THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DEPARTED FOR THE FLT AT ABOUT 2110 HRS, THE WX CONDITIONS WERE MARGINAL AND DETERIORATING IN THE AREA. NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING WAS FOUND. FOR UNKN REASONS, THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT AFTER ABOUT 1 HR AND 20 MNS, ENTERED THE BANNING PASS FROM THE EAST AND ENCOUNTERED CEILINGS OF APRX 500 FT AGL AND VISIBILITIES OF 1 MI OR LESS IN FOG AND DRIZZLE. BY THE TIME THE PLT CONTACTED THE NORTON AFB ATCT, HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEARLY LOCATE HIS POSITION IN THE DARKNESS AND RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES. THE RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM THE PLT, 'WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING IN VFR WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO CLIMB AND GET ABOVE THIS (WEATHER)' ESTABLISHED HIS INTENTION TO TRY AN INSTRUMENT CLIMB THROUGH THE CLOUDS TO FIND VFR CONDITIONS. THE WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ENTER THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS THEN DESCEND 'STRAIGHT DOWN OUT OF THE CLOUDS.' THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT THE SITE ESTABLISHED THAT THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN AN ATTITUDE CONSISTANT WITH A RIGHT SPIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N28891 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990426
- Airframe hours: 1944
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Redlands Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: George E. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1986, 25 hours before
- Departed: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Destination: PO6, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 85 total, 85 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °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 19860415011939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860415011939A), Apr 15, 1986: Piper PA28181, Beaumont, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft spun into the ground during a night flight. The VFR pilot lost control in IFR conditions.

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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