# NTSB LAX86FA303: Piper PA-32-260, N3643W, Yosemite Nation, CA, July 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1986, 17:45 local (Jul 27, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Yosemite Nation, CA
- Coordinates: 37.630836, -119.680953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6308&lon=-119.6810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA303

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER FLYING LOW OVER YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK THE PIPER PA-32-260, OPERATING AS AN ON-DEMAND PASSENGER FLIGHT, CLIMBED EASTWARD INTO RISING TERRAIN. THE FLIGHT PATH SELECTED BY THE PILOT WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE NORTH AND 1000 FEET HIGHER THAN TIOGA PASS (ELEVATION 9941) FEET). THE DENSITY ALTITUDE CALCUALTED FOR THE ACCIDENT WAS 12,500 AND THE AIRCRAFT'S PUBLISHED SERVICE CEILING IS 12,800 FEET AT MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE EMPENNAGE STRUCK A BOULDER AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED UP A FIVE DEGREE UPSLOPING RIDGE THEN NOSED INTO THE GROUND. A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED THE CABIN AND ENGINE NACELLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3643W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3643W-1991-04-26), registration cancelled 1991-04-26, S/N 32546 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-546
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Paradise Flying Service
- Registered owner: Budd Williams Land Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: Q03, SAN ANDREAS, CA
- Destination: LO6, DEATH VALLEY, CA
- Airport: Q24, Lee Vining

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 95 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 19860726087229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860726087229A), Jul 26, 1986: Piper PA32260, Yosemite Nation, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with terrain during en route climb. Passenger saw red light on panel. Suspect stall light. Density altitude.

## Other investigations on N3643W (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX86LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA010), Oct 8, 1985: Piper PA-32-260 (N3643W), Paradise, CA, substantial damage

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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