# NTSB LAX89FA074: Piper PA-28-161, N9276M, Yucca, AZ, December 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1988, 23:20 local (Dec 25, 1988, 06:20 UTC)
- Place: Yucca, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.760211, -114.009468 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7602&lon=-114.0095&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): 26197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA074

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDED THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION WHICH WAS RELATED TO HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY, SPATIAL DISORIENTATION UPON ENCOUNTERING INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING THE NIGHTTIME FLIGHT, AND HIS TOTAL LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED BULLHEAD ON CHRISTMAS EVE FOR A NIGHTTIME FLIGHT TO PHOENIX SO HIS PASSENGER COULD CONNECT WITH AN 0800 AIRLINE FLIGHT HOME. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND NAVIGATED TO THE SE FOR 23 NM. AWAY FROM ALL CITY LIGHTS AND OVER DESERT TERRAIN HE BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT DESCENDED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED & COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE IN AT LEAST A 60 DEGREE BANK. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE CRASH. PERSONS LOCATED 6 MI E OF THE CRASH SITE REPORTED IT WAS FOGGY, THE VISIBILITY WAS 2 MI AND THERE WAS LIGHT RAIN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9276M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9276M-1991-02-28), registration cancelled 1991-02-28, S/N 288616037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8616037
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Deer Valley Aviation, Inc., doing business as Scottsdale Aero Mech
- Registered owner: Bernard J. Maly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 1988
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD, AZ
- Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 108 total, 49 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 135° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °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 19881224057089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881224057089A), Dec 24, 1988: Piper PA28161, Yucca, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot continued flight at dark night into IMC lost control and impacted ground at high speed. No wx briefing.

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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