# NTSB LAX89FA076: Piper PA-28-180, N5369L, Wrightwood, CA, December 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1988, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Wrightwood, CA
- Coordinates: 34.359287, -117.60984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3593&lon=-117.6098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA076

## 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 - clouds (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE TOWARD A MOUNTAIN RANGE AND ENTERED A VALLEY WITH RISING TERRAIN. STILL IN IMC, JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER REPORTED, THE PILOT SAW THE TERRAIN AND BEGAN A LEFT TURN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING THE MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5369L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5369L-1989-04-20), registration cancelled 1989-04-20, S/N 284675 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4675
- Airframe hours: 3091
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clevenger, John B.
- Registered owner: Clevenger, John B
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total, 595 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 15 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 19881231057079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881231057079A), Dec 31, 1988: Piper PA28180, Wrightwood, CA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Climbed into clouds on VFR takeoff became disoriented flew into side of a mountain VFR not advised. Icing and snow.

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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