# NTSB LAX88FA113: Piper PA-28-161, N8321K, Rosamond, CA, February 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1988, 17:52 local (Feb 21, 1988, 01:52 UTC)
- Place: Rosamond, CA
- Coordinates: 34.869277, -118.339408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8693&lon=-118.3394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA113

## Probable cause

DECISION OF THE PILOT TO ATTEMPT MULTIPLE LOW LEVEL PASSES OVER A RESIDENCE IN AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND AMPHETAMINE FOUND IN BOTH THE PILOT'S BLOOD AND URINE SPECIMENS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RENTED THE ACFT WITH THE STATED INTENTION OF TAKING SUNSET PHOTOS; HOWEVER, NO CAMERA WAS FND IN THE ACFT AFTER IT HAD CRASHED. WITNESSES AT A RESIDENCE NEAR THE CRASH SITE SAW THE ACFT MAKE 2 PASSES OVER THEIR POSITION. THEY RPRTD THAT THE PASSES WERE SO LOW THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACFT HITTING THE HOUSE. AS THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD THE HOUSE ON THE 3RD PASS, IT COLLIDED WITH THE CREST OF A HILL. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 12 MIN AFTER SUNSET. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED METHAMPHETAMINE & AMPHETAMINE AT RESPECTIVE LEVELS OF 0.888 MG/L & 0.072 MG/L. A CHECK OF HIS URINE SHOWED A THC (MARIJUANA METABOLITE) LEVEL OF 269 NG/DL. HIS URINE ALSO TESTED POSITIVE FOR METHAMPHETAMINE, AMPHETAMINE,ACETAMINOPHEN & NICOTINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8321K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8321K-1989-07-17), registration cancelled 1989-07-17, S/N 288316025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8316025
- Airframe hours: 2346
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barnes Aviation
- Registered owner: Fernandes, Keith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 21, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Destination: WJF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 558 total, 9 in this make and model, 515 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 14 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 19880220002969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880220002969A), Feb 20, 1988: Piper PA28161, Rosamond, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck a small hill while buzzing a residence during twilight after sunset. Evidence of drugs in pilots system.

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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