# NTSB LAX86LA111: Piper PA-28-140, N9974W, Joshua Tree, CA, February 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1986, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Joshua Tree, CA
- Coordinates: 34.149024, -116.269477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1490&lon=-116.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA111

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power, climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON FEB 28 1986, AT 0830 PST, A PIPER PA-28 COLLIDED WITH A TREE AFTER A FORCED LANDING. IMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. A/C FLEW INTO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS ENROUTE AND CLIMBED TO 11,000 FEET MSL TO GET ABOVE IT. DURING THE CLIMB IMC WAS ENCOUNTERED. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS PARTIALLY ON THROUGHOUT THE CLIMB AND FULL ON DURING CRUISE AT 11,000 FEET WITH THE MIXTURE FULL RICH. THE AIRCRAFT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT 200 FEET AGL IN SNOW SHOWERS. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN ROUGH TERRAIN ADJACENT TO ROAD PARALLELED BY WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9974W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9974W-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 28-23522, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23522
- Airframe hours: 3667
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce Seaman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: L49, LAKE ELSINORE, CA
- Destination: P06, BULLHEAD, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 208 total, 208 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP, 22 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 19860208019729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860208019729A), Feb 8, 1986: Piper PA28140, Joshua Tree, CA, Substantial damage. Failure to lean mixture at high altitude led to rough engine. Unable to hold altitude. Hit Tree on forced landing.

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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