# NTSB LAX88LA260: Piper PA-28-140, N33043, Agua Dulce, CA, July 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1988, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Agua Dulce, CA
- Coordinates: 34.430847, -118.509399 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4308&lon=-118.5094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA260

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A 2,900 FT MSL ELEVATION AIRPORT WHEN THE OBSERVED UNOFFICIAL OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS A REPORTED 105 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. ALTHOUGH NO EXACT PRESSURE ALTITUDE WAS AVAILABLE AN APPROXIMATE DENSITY ALTITUDE OF 6,300 WAS DERIVED FROM THE TEMPERATURE AND ASSUMED PRESSURE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE SELECTED 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS FOR UPHILL TAKEOFF, AND, AFTER LIFTOFF, REDUCED THE FLAPS TO 10 DEGREES. AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED OUT TOWARD RISING TERRAIN THE PILOT SAID THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT CLIMBING SUFFICIENTLY AND HE ELECTED TO TURN DOWN A CANYON TOWARD LOWER TERRAIN. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A MODERATE SIZED BUSH ON THE TOP OF A RIDGE AND THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT SAID THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE GROUND COLLISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33043](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33043-2012-10-02), registration cancelled 2012-10-02, S/N 28-7525143, built 1975 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7525143
- Airframe hours: 4345
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roth, Stanley H.
- Registered owner: Roth, Stanley H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1987, 177 hours before
- Departed: L70
- Destination: DAG, BARSTOW, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 1,070 in this make and model, 1,069 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °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 19880716026799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880716026799A), Jul 16, 1988: Piper PA28140, Agua Dulce, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to clear rising terrain after takeoff. Wing hit a bush and ground trying to turn around. Uphill runway.

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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