# NTSB LAX88FA150: Piper PA-28-180, N15847, Ukiah, CA, April 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1988, 11:59 local (18:59 UTC)
- Place: Ukiah, CA
- Coordinates: 39.119064, -123.280708 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1191&lon=-123.2807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA150

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF HIS AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT IFR EXPERIENCE, SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND HIS FAILURE TO PERFORM REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - clouds
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT ENCOUNTERED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION & LOST CONTROL OF HIS ACFT DURING CLIMB WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE COURSE IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN ATC CLEARANCE. IMC EXISTED & THE ACFT ACCELERATED TO ABOVE ITS MANEUVERING SPEED. WHEN THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER THE LEFT WING BROKE UNDER POSITIVE AIR LOADS AT MID-SPAN (OUTBOARD OF THE EXTRUDED SPAR). NO LOG BOOK RECORD WAS FOUND INDICATING THAT THE PLT HAD FLOWN UNDER IFR CONDITIONS IN AT LEAST 6 MONTHS. THERAPEUTIC LEVELS OF DIAZEPAM WERE FOUND IN THE PLT'S LIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15847](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15847-1989-01-05), registration cancelled 1989-01-05, S/N 287305161 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305161
- Airframe hours: 2380
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert & Lillian Beck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: UKI, UKIAH, CA
- Destination: O01, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 915 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UKI, 6 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 19880403007339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880403007339A), Apr 3, 1988: Piper PA28180, Ukiah, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control climbing to cruise in the clouds. Aircraft broke up on abrupt recovery. No recent IFR. Valium in blood

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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