# NTSB LAX90FA113: Piper PA28-161, N2951S, Malibu, CA, March 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1990, 22:55 local (Mar 11, 1990, 06:55 UTC)
- Place: Malibu, CA
- Location: 34.0093° N, 118.7966° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Malibu, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0093&lon=-118.7966&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA113

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TURN INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN HIGH TERRAIN AFTER INADVERTENTLY ENCOUNTERING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS THREE PASSENGERS TOOK OFF ON A FLIGHT UNDER INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES AND IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS TO ANOTHER AIRPORT FOR DINNER. AFTER DINNER THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGERS TOOK OFF ON A NIGHT FLIGHT, UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES, TO RETURN TO THEIR HOME AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT INITIALLY CLIMBED TO 2700 FEET MSL THEN BEGAN A SLOW ENROUTE DESCENT. RADAR CONTACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST AS IT DESCENDED THROUGH 1800 FEET MSL WHILE TRACKING OVER THE COAST ON AN EASTERLY HEADING. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN, NORTH OF THE COAST LINE, AT AN ELEVATION OF 1600 FEET, WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AND WHILE ON A WESTERLY HEADING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2951S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2951S-1991-02-13), registration cancelled 1991-02-13, S/N 287916579 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287916579
- Engines: LYCOMING O320-DTG 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kazuhiko Nakamura
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Destination: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,737 total, 161 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900310004619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900310004619A), Mar 10, 1990: Piper PA28161, Malibu, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Impacted a fog shrouded mountain side at night en route VFR. Was advised visual flight not recommended.

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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