# NTSB LAX86LA036: Piper PA-28R-200, N3096R, Mammoth Lakes, CA, November 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1985, 15:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.580295, -118.840415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5803&lon=-118.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE OBSERVED THE ARPT'S WIND SOCK IN PREPARATION FOR DEPARTURE THE WIND WAS BLOWING DOWN THE RWY WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS THAT DID NOT SEEM OVER 20 KTS. AFTER TAKING OFF & CLIMBING TO ABT 100 FT AGL, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH A MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITION. THE PLT STATED & A GROUND- BASED WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT RAPIDLY ROLLED 90 DEG. RT & DESCENDED. JUST BEFORE COLLIDING WITH TERRAIN THE ACFT'S WINGS WERE LEVELED. NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED BY THE PLT. 30 MIN AFTER THE CRASH THE ARPT'S SPECIAL WX OBSERVATION LISTED THE PRESENCE OF STANDING LENTICULAR ALTOCUMULUS CLDS IN ALL QUADRANTS, & THE SURFACE WINDS WERE 15 KTS GUSTING TO 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3096R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3096R-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 28R35665 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2PR-35665
- Airframe hours: 4150
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul A. Gordon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: MMH, MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
- Destination: CCB, UPLAND, CA
- Airport: MMH, Mammoth-June Lakes, runway 27, 7,000 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,081 total, 970 in this make and model, 1,960 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMH

## 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 19851108059599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851108059599A), Nov 8, 1985: Piper PA28R200, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Rolled 90 degrees after takeoff. Got wings level just before impact. Standing lenticular altocumulus all quadrants.

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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