# NTSB LAX90LA253: Piper PA22-150, N8231C, Springerville, AZ, July 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1990, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Springerville, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.039245, -109.200569 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0392&lon=-109.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA253

## Probable cause

THE ENCOUNTER WITH A DOWNDRAFT BEYOND THE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS IN CRUISE OVER A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHEN THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE DOWN DRAFTS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROACHING HIGH TENSION POWER LINES AND HE ELECTED TO FLY UNDER THEM. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'NEVER COULD GET THE AIRCRAFT TO CLIMB AGAIN,' AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ONTO THE GROUND AND COLLIDED WITH A LARGE ROCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8231C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8231C-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 22-2317, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2317
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-TC 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond D. Carson
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: E24, WHITERIVER, AZ
- Destination: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 662 total, 392 in this make and model, 611 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19900712025489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900712025489A), Jul 12, 1990: Piper PA22150, Springerville, AZ, Substantial damage. Encountered strong downdraft trying to fly over a mountain. Flew under powerline landed in tall grass. Hit rocks.

## Other investigations on N8231C (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 MKC67F0382](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0382), Oct 30, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N8231C), Post Oak, MO, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.