# NTSB LAX88LA066: Piper PA-38-112, N123JY, Dunsmuir, CA, December 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1987, 20:30 local (Dec 5, 1987, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Dunsmuir, CA
- Coordinates: 41.190799, -122.260787 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1908&lon=-122.2608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25919
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25919/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA066

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - in-flight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A PIPER PA-38-112 COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HIS DESTINATION WEATHER WAS MARGINAL AND HE DID NOT UPDATE HIS WEATHER BRIEFING ENROUTE. THE PILOT WAS FLYING DOWN A VALLEY AT AN ALTITUDE OF 6,500 FEET MSL FOLLOWING AN INTERSTATE UNDER AN OVERCAST CEILING WHICH THE PILOT REPORTED AT 7,500 FEET MSL. THE PILOT INDICATED HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS AND TURBULENCE. HE THEN FLEW INTO CLOUDS LOST ALTITUDE AND CRASHED INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123JY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123JY-2014-09-03), registration cancelled 2014-09-03, S/N 38-78A0633, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78 A0633
- Airframe hours: 1662
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene H. Rhoades
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1987, 70 hours before
- Departed: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Destination: RDD, REDDING, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 125 total, 105 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD, 65 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 19871204069169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871204069169A), Dec 4, 1987: Piper PA38112, Dunsmuir, CA, Destroyed. Continued VFR flight into clouds. Lost control and crashed into trees. Mountainous terrain.

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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