# NTSB LAX86FUJ01: Piper PA-25-235, N6661Z, Phoenix, AZ, April 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1986, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.590694, -112.099479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5907&lon=-112.0995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FUJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FUJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND RT WING FIRST AFTER A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED IN A 45 DEGREE INTERCEPT TO FINAL WITH 30 DEGREES OF BANK AND FULL FLAPS. THE PLT FELT THE ACFT SINKING AND ATTEMTPED TO STOP IT WITH POWER AND REDUCED ANGLE OF BANK. HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT AND 'COULD NOT 3PT IT' BEFORE IMPACT. THE PLT HAD JUST BEGUN OPERATIONS AT THIS LOCALITY. THE DENSITY ALT WAS COMPUTED TO BE 3800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6661Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6661Z-1989-02-06), registration cancelled 1989-02-06, S/N 252261 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2261
- Airframe hours: 4968
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ray Couliette, doing business as Black Canyon State
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 1986, 95 hours before
- Airport: 07, Pleasant Valley, runway 23, 4,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 755 total, 160 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860419013129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860419013129A), Apr 19, 1986: Piper PA25235, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. High sink rate on a circular final. Caught a wing and crash landed short of the runway.

## Other investigations on N6661Z (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 LAX74DUJ14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74DUJ14), Aug 28, 1973: Piper PA-25 (N6661Z), Picacho, AZ, 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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