# NTSB LAX87FA149: Piper PA-24-250, N5393P, Jamestown, CA, March 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1987, 22:40 local (Mar 18, 1987, 06:40 UTC)
- Place: Jamestown, CA
- Coordinates: 37.84999, -120.489791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8500&lon=-120.4898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA149

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - wing - loss,partial (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE ACCIDENT ACFT, IN COMPANY WITH 2 OTHERS, WAS TRYING TO LAND AT THE DEST AIRPORT IN HILLY TERRAIN. AS THE 3 ACFT APPROACHED THE AIRPORT THEY ENCOUNTERED BKN TO OVRCST CONDITIONS OF ABOUT 400 FT AGL AND VIS OF 2 MI IN RAIN. THE FIRST 2 ACFT LANDED SAFELY, BUT THE ACCIDENT ACFT MADE A GO AROUND BECAUSE THE PLT SAID VIA RADIO THAT HE 'LOST SIGHT OF THE RWY AFTER ENTERING A CLOUD.' ON THE RADIO, THE PLT SAID THAT HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS, FOLLOWED BY A REMARK 'THERE'S THE MOON.' OVER THE RADIO, THE PLT TOLD THE OTHER PLTS THAT HE WAS GOING TO A NEARBY AIRPORT TO WAIT FOR BETTER WX. GND WITNESS HEARD THE ACFT CIRCLING SEVERAL TIMES IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE BEFORE HEARING SOUNDS OF IMPACT. EXAM OF THE SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT STRUCK A LARGE PINE TREE NEAR THE TOP WITH ITS RIGHT WING. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A STEEP INVERTED NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE EXTENDED WRECKAGE BEARING WAS ALIGNED WITH THE DEST AIRPORT, WHICH WAS 8 MI AWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5393P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5393P-1996-05-16), registration cancelled 1996-05-16, S/N 24444 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-444
- Airframe hours: 3109
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter E. East
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: O22, COLUMBIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,300 total, 95 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F

## 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 19870317082669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870317082669A), Mar 17, 1987: Piper PA24250, Columbia, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Missed VFR night approach due to low clouds. Pulled up into clouds to climb on top. Went into spiral and crashed.

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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