# NTSB LAX87LA155: Piper PA-28-140, N2439T, Anza, CA, March 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1987, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Anza, CA
- Location: 33.5616° N, 116.6961° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Anza, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5616&lon=-116.6961&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25546/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - climb - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHT SEEING FLT THE PLT ENTERED A RIVER VALLEY IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT ABOUT 1,000 FT AGL. AFTER ABOUT 5 MILES, THE PLT DECIDED TO EXIT THE NARROWING VALLEY WITH A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN OVER A RIDGE LINE. ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY UP THE SLOPE, THE PLT REALIZED THAT THE ACFT MIGHT NOT MAKE THE TOP OF THE RIDGE LINE AND THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE OR AIRSPEED TO ATTEMPT TO TURN AWAY FROM THE RAPIDLY RISING SLOPE SAFELY SO HE ELECTED TO MAKE A CONTROLLED LANDING AT NEAR STALL SPEED. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE MOUNTAINSIDE ABOUT 300 FT BELOW THE TOP OF THE RIDGE LINE. THE PLT IS AN ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PLT ASSIGNED TO FLY LOCKHEED C-141B TRANSPORTS AND ALL HIS FLT TIME IS IN HIGH PERFORMANCE JETS EXCEPT FOR ABOUT 32 HOURS OF GENERAL AVIATION FLT EXPERIENCE OBTAINED 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT SAID THAT HE OVERESTIMATED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ACFT AND HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN SINGLE ENGINE PROP MOUNTAIN FLYING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2439T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2439T-1989-02-09), registration cancelled 1989-02-09, S/N 287225073 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287225073
- Airframe hours: 6116
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Venable Aircraft Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1987, 16 hours before
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,397 total, 2 in this make and model, 949 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870323008139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870323008139A), Mar 23, 1987: Piper PA28140, Anza, CA, Substantial damage. Unskilled in aircraft and mountain flying. Crash landed on the side of a ridge while trying to climb over ridge.

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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