# NTSB LAX88FA028: Piper PA-24-250, N5431P, Buttonwillow, CA, October 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1987, 18:41 local (Oct 29, 1987, 02:41 UTC)
- Place: Buttonwillow, CA
- Coordinates: 35.429637, -119.490318 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4296&lon=-119.4903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA028

## 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 - thunderstorm,level i (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning strike (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spiral - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-24-250 COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON AN IFR FLIGHT. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FROM FSS. WHILE EN ROUTE, RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST, THEN REGAINED. THE PILOT STATED TO ATC THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE HIS FLT TO HIS DEST. THE ACFT AGAIN WAS LOST FROM RADAR WHILE PLT WAS EXECUTING FREQUENCY CHANGE. WITNESSES REPORTED ACFT DESCENDING IN VERTICAL SPIRAL AND THEN IMPACTING GND VERTICALLY. WX RPRTS AND FORECASTS INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS, TURBULENCE, AND LIGHTNING WERE PRESENT ALONG FLIGHT. TWO PLT RPRTS INDICATED PRESENCE OF MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULANCE IN VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, WITHIN 1,000 FT OF ACFT CRUISE ALT. REVIEW OF PILOT'S LOGBOOK INDICATED HE WAS NOT IFR-CURRENT. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT DISCLOSE THE DAMAGE BY THE LIGHTNING STRIKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5431P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5431P-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 24-485, built 1958 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-485
- Airframe hours: 2849
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marracci, Louis T
- Registered owner: Marracci, Louis T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1986, 68 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 418 total, 300 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 35 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 19871028083399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871028083399A), Oct 28, 1987: Piper PA24250, Buttonwillow, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Appears lost control in area of thunderstorms. Lacked recent IFR time and night time. Impact high speed vertical.

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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