# NTSB LAX90LA014: Piper PA-28R-180, N7594J, Bishop, CA, October 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1989, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Bishop, CA
- Coordinates: 37.49942, -118.310867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4994&lon=-118.3109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA014

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S NEGLECT IN FAILURE TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WAS AVAILABLE TO PASS THE PARKED REFUELING VEHICLE. THE REFUELING VEHICLE PARKING POSITION ON AN ACTIVE TAXIWAY WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING SEVERAL 360 DEGREE TURNS OVER A CAMPSITE AT 6500 FEET MSL AND 1300 FEET AGL. DURING ONE OF THESE TURNS THE AIRCRAFT LOST ALTITUDE AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE WIND WAS GUSTING 25 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7594J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7594J-1996-12-19), registration cancelled 1996-12-19, S/N 28R30990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2830990
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-BIE 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard J. Ryhearson
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: BISHOP, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 203 total, 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19891028043639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891028043639A), Oct 28, 1989: Piper PA28180, Bishop, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with rising terrain while circling a campsite at low altitude.

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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