# NTSB LAX89FA023: Piper PA-28-140, N140RM, Big Pine, CA, October 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1988, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Pine, CA
- Coordinates: 37.129184, -118.159309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1292&lon=-118.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA023

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.

## 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 - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT PLANNED A X-C FLIGHT FM RED BLUFF, CA, TO MESA, AZ, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE REFUELING STOP AT BISHOP, CA. AT BISHOP THE PLT TOPPED OFF THE FUEL TANKS & DEPARTED SOUTH DOWN THE OWENS VALLEY. A CFI OBSERVED THE ACFT'S DOWNWIND DEPARTURE & NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AT 100 FT/MIN. AFTER FLYING FOR SEVERAL MILES, THE PLT TURNED TOWARD AN AREA OF DECEPTIVELY SLOW RISING TERRAIN OF A MOUNTAIN PASS. THE PLT ENTERED THE PASS AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE ROAD'S ELEVATION INCREASED & ITS DIRECTION BEGAN SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH. THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED UPON COLLIDING WITH THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN, 150 FEET ABOVE THE HIGHWAY. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS OVER 9000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N140RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N140RM-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 287125229 (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: 28-7125229
- Airframe hours: 2550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mueller, Henry R.
- Registered owner: Henry R Mueller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1987, 720 hours before
- Departed: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °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 19881022047649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881022047649A), Oct 22, 1988: Piper PA28140, Big Pine, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck mountainside trying to climb through pass following highway. High density altitude. Highway switchbacks factor

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.