# NTSB LAX90LA085: Piper PA-32-300, N8620N, Mammoth Lakes, CA, February 5, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1990, 16:04 local (Feb 5, 1990, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.579124, -118.839538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5791&lon=-118.8395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMOVAL OF ICE FROM THE FUSELAGE, WINGS, AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - ice (contributing factor)
  - fuselage - ice (contributing factor)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING PROP RPM PROBLEMS WHICH DETERIORATED THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE AND HE ELECTED TO LAND IN A ROUGH/UNEVEN FIELD. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE STAGGERED INTO THE AIR IN GROUND EFFECT AND THEN CRASHED. THE WITNESSES ALSO STATED THAT UPON THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS, FUSELAGE, AND EMPENNAGE WERE COVERED WITH ICE THAT APPEARED TO HAVE MELTED AND REFROZEN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD REMOVED ICE BEFORE DEPARTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8620N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8620N-1992-04-25), registration cancelled 1992-04-25, S/N 327140012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7140012
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nathaniel, Sheldon J.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MMH, Mammoth Lakes, runway 27, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- 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 19900204001569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900204001569A), Feb 4, 1990: Piper PA32300, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled leaving ground effect. Airframe ice covered.

## Other investigations on N8620N (1)

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 CHI72DEA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DEA16), Oct 6, 1971: Piper PA-32 (N8620N), Anderson, IN, 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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