# NTSB LAX89LA278: Piper PA-28-140, N3795K, Butte Meadows, CA, August 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1989, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Butte Meadows, CA
- Coordinates: 40.019237, -121.569961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0192&lon=-121.5700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA278

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING TO ATTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE HIGH TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ATTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE CLIMBING TO 9,000 FT, HE CLEARED A MOUNTAIN PEAK, BUT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AS IF IN A DOWNDRAFT. HIT TREES AT ABOUT 4,500 FT ELEVATION. DENSITY ALT ABOUT 7000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3795K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3795K-1990-08-15), registration cancelled 1990-08-15, S/N 2823732 (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: 28-23732
- Airframe hours: 2224
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andrew I. Reichmuth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 9 hours before
- Departed: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA
- Destination: 059, CEDARVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,350 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890814029189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890814029189A), Aug 14, 1989: Piper PA28140, Butte Meadows, CA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flying at 500 feet above mountain peaks entered downdraft. Unable to recover struck trees. Density altitude factor.

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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