# NTSB LAX89FA276: Piper PA-28-140, N6274W, Toms Place, CA, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Toms Place, CA
- Coordinates: 37.499217, -118.309333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4992&lon=-118.3093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA276

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TERRAIN OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ENTERING A HIGH ELEVATION BASIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WHICH REDUCED THE AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE TO LESS THAN THE RATE OF CLIMB OF THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - performance data - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A HIGH ELEVATION BASIN LOCATED ABOVE 10,000 FEET MSL IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE RIM OF THE BASIN WAS DETERMINED TO BE ABOVE 12,500 FEET. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT 10,500 FEET MSL WAS ABOUT 12,500 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT'S BEST RATE OF CLIMB WAS LESS THAN 400 FEET PER MILE. THE FLOOR OF THE BASIN ROSE IN ELEVATION ABOUT 400 FEET PER MILE IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6274W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6274W-1990-10-03), registration cancelled 1990-10-03, S/N 2820323 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20323
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Abou-Hamad, Redwan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: MMH, MAMMOTH LAKES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 110 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMH, 12 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 19890806029509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806029509A), Aug 6, 1989: Piper PA28140, Toms Place, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck rising terrain below ridge of a box end valley.

## Other investigations on N6274W (2)

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.

- [NTSB DIA69F0090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69F0090), Oct 13, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N6274W), Linthicum, MD, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC66D0379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0379), Jan 7, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N6274W), So St Paul, MN, substantial damage

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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