# NTSB LAX87FA096: Morrisey 2150A, N5138V, Mt. Baldy, CA, January 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1987, 00:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Baldy, CA
- Coordinates: 34.199924, -117.700645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1999&lon=-117.7006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA096

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLT, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN CIRCLING OVER A RIDGE FOUR TIMES. ON THE FIFTH PASS, THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED NORTHBOUND INTO THE CLOUDS. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT AT THE TIME THE MT TOPS WERE COVERED WITH FOG AND THAT BLIZZARD CONDITIONS EXISTED. DURING THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL 300 TO 400 YARDS BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE FAR SIDE OF A DEEP RAVINE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5138V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5138V-1998-01-10), registration cancelled 1998-01-10, S/N SP34 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MORRISEY 2150A
- Registry model: [Morrisey 2150A](https://openairdocs.org/model/morrisey-2150a) (registry code 5940204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: SP-34
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert D. Burford
- Registered owner: Robert D Burford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Wind: 360° at 40 knots, gusting 50

## 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 19870116000869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870116000869A), Jan 16, 1987: Varga 2150AMORISY, Mt Baldy, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees on a cloud obscured mountainside at 8500 feet level,witness reported seeing aircraft fly into cloud

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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