# NTSB LAX89FA268: Piper PA-601P, N6067Z, Ramona, CA, August 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1989, 05:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.070629, -116.82904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0706&lon=-116.8290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA268

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S VFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGIAL CONDITIONS (IMC) AND SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT DESCENT INTO THE GROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, LOW CEILING, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS HOME, UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT, FOR A FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES TO A DISTANT AIRPORT. A GROUND WITNESS STATED THAT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, BEGAN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6067Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6067Z-1991-08-21), registration cancelled 1991-08-21, S/N 61P06617963308 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P06660
- Airframe hours: 878
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Blunt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1989, 31 hours before
- Departed: L39
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,843 total, 222 in this make and model, 1,789 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm

## 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 19890808032559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890808032559A), Aug 8, 1989: Piper PA60601P, Ramona, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control and crashed shortly after takeoff and entering low ceiling. Dark night and dense fog in area.

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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