# NTSB LAX87FA071: Piper PA-28R-201, N50U, Gorman, CA, December 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1986, 19:15 local (Dec 27, 1986, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Gorman, CA
- Coordinates: 34.719661, -118.150848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7197&lon=-118.1508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA071

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - altitude - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE SURVIVING PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTENDING TO PAPERWORK AND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHT IN TIME TO SEE TREES JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AT 8,500 FEET WHEN HE LAST NOTICED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 6,500 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50U-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 28R-7737092, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7737092
- Airframe hours: 4171
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Gold Coast Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hartman Equities, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 18, 1986, 244 hours before
- Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,080 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19861226086019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861226086019A), Dec 26, 1986: Piper PA28R201, Gorman, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft flew into trees at night. Pilot failed to adequately monitor the foreign copilot who was in control.

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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