# NTSB LAX89FA025: Piper PA31P-350, N79HW, Redlands, CA, October 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1988, 19:00 local (Oct 27, 1988, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000518, -117.11911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0005&lon=-117.1191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT SELECTION OF AN INAPPROPRIATE ALTITUDE FOR THE ATTEMPTED NIGHT SPECIAL VFR CIRCLE TO LAND MANEUVER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT, RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES AND LACK OF GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS. ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED TOTAL NIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, circling (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ARPT IS NEXT TO NORTON AFB. THE WEATHER ON THE DARK MOONLESS NIGHT WAS 1 MI VIS IN FOG AND HAZE. THE PLT COMPLETED AN ILS TO A LOW APPROACH AT NORTON AND RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE TO PROCEED TO REDLANDS. THE CIRCLING MDA FOR NORTON IS 1,700 FT MSL. NORTON AFB ELEV IS 1,100 FT MSL, AND THE REDLANDS AIRPORT ELEV IS 1,572 FT MSL. THE CIRCLING MDA FOR NORTON IS 138 FT ABOVE THE REDLANDS AIRPORT ARPT ELEV. THE RECORDED RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE FLT DESCENDED TO 1,800 FT ON THE ILS, THEN THE MODE C VARIED BETWEEN 1,700 AND 1,600 FT. THE LAST RADAR RETURN WAS ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE REDLANDS ARPT AT 1,600 FT MSL. A WITNESS ON THE AIRPORT SAW THE ACFT FLY OVER RUNWAY 8 IN A SOUTH TO NORTH DIRECTION, 'LOW AND FAST.' THE WITNESS HEARD THE CRASH SOUNDS IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER. EVIDENCE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THE ACFT LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A 42 DEGREE LEFT BANK IN A SLIGHT NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. FEW GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS EXIST IN THE AREA AND THE PLT HAD MIN TTL NIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79HW-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 31P-8414021, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31P-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA 31P 350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p-350) (registry code 7103111) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31P-8414021
- Airframe hours: 660
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-V2AD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charlie Gill Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1988, 48 hours before
- Departed: IMP, IMPERIAL, CA
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: L12, Redlands Muni, runway 8, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 550 total, 200 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 4 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 19881026048239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881026048239A), Oct 26, 1988: Piper PA31P350, Redlands, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into rising terrain at night in fog on a special VFR from ILS at norton afb to the Redlands airport.

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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