# NTSB LAX89FA137: Piper PA-24-250, N7293P, Whitmore, CA, March 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1989, 16:15 local (Mar 28, 1989, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Whitmore, CA
- Coordinates: 40.629486, -121.870582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6295&lon=-121.8706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT WITH KNOWN FORECAST IMC ALONG HIS ROUTE.

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING. THE BRIEFING FORECASTED MODERATE TURBULENCE, ICING, AND LOW CEILINGS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHICH WAS ALONG HIS ROUTE. THE PILOT DEPARTED VFR. HE ENCOUNTERED FORECAST IMC CONDITIONS WHILE EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE PILOT THEN INITIATED A CLIMB AND CONTACTED ATC FOR AN IFR CLEARANCE. ATC CLEARED THE PILOT FOR AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT OTHER THAN HIS DESTINATION. DURING THE APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED BELOW THE BASE OF THE CLOUDS. THE PILOT CANCELED HIS IFR CLEARANCE AND ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED VFR. MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS ALONG HIS ROUTE. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED BY LOW CEILINGS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN FLYING INTO THE CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7293P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7293P-1993-10-26), registration cancelled 1993-10-26, S/N 242472 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 242472
- Airframe hours: 2190
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry L. Stemmerman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1988, 270 hours before
- Departed: H10, PORTLAND, OR
- Destination: O89, FALL RIVER MILL, CA
- Airport: O89

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 835 total, 692 in this make and model, 775 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD, 27 nm away

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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