# NTSB LAX88FA061: Piper PA-11, N4767H, San Marcos, CA, November 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1987, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: San Marcos, CA
- Coordinates: 33.150901, -117.170333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1509&lon=-117.1703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)

## Analysis

THE 2 PLTS TOOK OFF ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT WHICH WAS TO BE A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FOR THE ACFT OWNER. DURING THE FLT, THE PLTS FLEW TO A DIRT STRIP ON A SADDLEBACK BETWEEN 2 MTN PEAKS NEAR SAN MARCOS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A BOULDER & CRASHED NEAR THE NORTHEAST END OF THE STRIP. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE ACDNT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT HAD STRUCK THE BOULDER AFTER THE PLTS MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE STRIP ON A NORTHEASTERLY HDG. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT NORTHEAST OF THE BOULDER WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE PROP BLADES CONTAINED CHORDWISE SCORING & MASSIVE SMEARING OR LEADING EDGE DAMAGE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE RWY REVEALED NO INDCN OF THE ACFT TOUCHING DOWN BEFORE IMPACT. EVIDENCE WAS INCONCLUSIVE AS TO WHICH PLT WAS MANIPULATING THE CONTROLS WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. ON THIS FLT, THE OWNER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE PLT-IN-COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4767H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4767H-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 11-689, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11-689
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest L. Bradford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1987, 140 hours before
- Departed: L32, OCEANSIDE, CA
- Destination: L32
- Airport: Mountain Strip, runway 4, 1,500 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,890 total, 1,422 in this make and model, 1,814 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 7 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 19871128068519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871128068519A), Nov 28, 1987: Piper PA11, San Marcos, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck a large rock near departure end of a dirt strip. Was known to buzz strip. Not known which pilot at controls.

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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