# NTSB LAX89LA313: Piper PA-32R-300, N3929F, Mammoth Lakes, CA, September 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1989, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.579116, -118.840988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5791&lon=-118.8410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA313

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS THAT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GUSTY & CROSS-WINDS AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE EXECUTED A NORMAL TAKEOFF FM RWY 27 & USED LEFT AILERON PRESSURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY & X-WIND CONDITION. AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS OVER 8200 FT. THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEG AT 35 KTS. THE PLT DID NOT INDICATE THAT HE USED HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE TAKEOFF TECHNIQUES OR THAT HE ADJUSTED HIS INITIAL RATE OF CLIMB AIRSPEED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, CLIMBED TO 20 FT AGL, ENCOUNTERED THE GUSTY WIND, AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE SIDE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3929F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3929F), registered now, S/N 32R-7680420, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680420
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richer, Everett C.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: F70, RANCHO CALIF., CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MMH, Mammoth Lakes, runway 27, 7,000 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 351 total, 150 in this make and model, 296 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 25 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMH

## 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 19890917035139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890917035139A), Sep 17, 1989: Piper PA32R300, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Crosswind takeoff high density altitude. Climbed to 20FT. Settled. Hit ground side of runway. Crosswind component e

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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