# NTSB LAX88FA197: Piper PA-28-140, N1259T, Pinecrest, CA, May 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Pinecrest, CA
- Coordinates: 38.28004, -119.820945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2800&lon=-119.8209&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): 25836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25836/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA197

## Probable cause

PILOTS DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT THROUGH A MOUNTAIN AREA AFTER ENCOUNTERING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## 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 - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED AT THE NORTH EAST END OF A LARGE VALLEY IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS WHERE THE VALLEY BRANCHES INTO TWO SMALLER VALLEYS. THE NORTHERN BRANCH LEADS TO A PASS AND THE SOUTHERN ONE INTO A BOX CANYON AREA. THE SITE IS ON A PLATEAU AT THE 7,300 FT MSL LEVEL. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS WITH 'NEAR BLIZZARD LIKE CONDIITONS' EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A HELICOPTER CREW SAID THE BASES OF THE OVERCAST CLOUDS WERE 6,300 FT MSL. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FOR THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO ATTEND A FAMILY EVENT IN NEVADA. THE WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLING IN THE SNOW SHOWERS PRIOR TO THE SOUND OF IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TWO LARGE PINE TREES NEAR THE EDGE OF THE PLATEAU.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1259T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1259T-1992-01-23), registration cancelled 1992-01-23, S/N 287225440 (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: 28-7225440
- Airframe hours: 3752
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon, Joseph L., Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1988, 15 hours before
- Departed: O36, TRACY, CA
- Destination: O43, YERINGTON, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,150 total, 300 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19880529016229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529016229A), May 29, 1988: Piper STCPA28, Pinecrest, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees on cloud obscured mountainside. Heavy snow showers in area. Was following highway to mountain pass.

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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