# NTSB LAX88FA168: Piper PA-28-140, N1681J, Essex, CA, April 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Essex, CA
- Coordinates: 34.960372, -115.309082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9604&lon=-115.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA168

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ENSURE TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHILE MOUNTAIN FLYING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A RETURN LEG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT PATH WAS INTO STEEPLY RISING TERRAIN IN A BOX CANYON. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR MOUNTAIN WAVES WITH HEAVY DOWNDRAFTS ON THE LEE SIDE OF MOUNTAINS. THE AIRCRAFT WRECAKGE WAS FOUND ON THE LEE SIDE OF A 7,000 FT RIDGE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1681J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1681J-1989-04-05), registration cancelled 1989-04-05, S/N 2824082 (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: 28 24082
- Airframe hours: 2290
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cadoret, Dollard H.
- Registered owner: Cadoret, Dollard H Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1987, 71 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: WHP, PACOIMA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 240 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 260° at 23 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EED, 40 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 19880417011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417011459A), Apr 17, 1988: Piper PA28140, Essex, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck vertical rock wall on mountainside. Was flying up dead end canyon. Severe gusty wind. Lee wind condition.

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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