# NTSB LAX90LA326: Piper PA-28-180, N6528J, Mount Wilson, CA, September 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1990, 15:34 local (22:34 UTC)
- Place: Mount Wilson, CA
- Location: 34.2264° N, 118.0662° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Wilson, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2264&lon=-118.0662&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA326

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REQUEST IN-FLIGHT WEATHER AVOIDANCE ASSISTANCE AND HIS MISJUDGED EVALUATION OF THE EN ROUTE WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - clouds
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in flight weather avoidance assistance - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED 2800-HR PRIVATE PILOT WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE AIRPLANE AND FAMILIAR WITH THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT OBSERVED THE DARK OVERCAST SKY CONDITIONS IN THE DIRECTION OF HIS PLANNED TRIP, & INDICATED THAT WHILE EN ROUTE IF THE WEATHER DETERIORATED HE WOULD RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF UNDER VFR CONDITIONS & HEADED IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION. EIGHT MIN LATER THE PILOT CONTACTED RADAR & REQUESTED FLIGHT FOLLOWING SERVICE TOWARD HIS EASTERLY DESTINATION. TWO MIN LATER THE AIRPLANE WAS IDENTIFIED ON RADAR, & TWO MIN THEREAFTER RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE LAST FOUR MIN OF RECORDED RADAR SHOWED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD CLIMBED FROM 2600 FT TO 3500 FEET MSL & HAD TURNED 90 DEG LEFT FROM AN EASTERLY TO A NORTHERLY COURSE. NEARBY WEATHER REPORTING FACILITIES INDICATED THE CLOUD BASE & TOPS WERE RESPECTIVELY 3800 FT & 5700 FT MSL. THE CRASH SITE WAS 4750 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6528J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6528J-1995-08-19), registration cancelled 1995-08-19, S/N 284966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4966
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mc Collough, Floyd
- Registered owner: Mccollough, Floyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Destination: IPL, IMPERIAL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMT, 9 nm away

## 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 19900919041239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900919041239A), Sep 19, 1990: Piper PA28180, Mount Wilson, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of cloud-obscured mountain. Top of mountain was in clear above lower cloud layer.

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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