# NTSB LAX91FA181: Piper PA-28-181, N8019N, Carpenteria, CA, April 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1991, 20:53 local (Apr 21, 1991, 03:53 UTC)
- Place: Carpenteria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.429157, -119.520561 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4292&lon=-119.5206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA181

## Probable cause

1) INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT, 2) POOR INFLIGHT DECISION TO TRY AND CONTINUE VMC FLIGHT, AND 3) THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF IN VMC CONDITIONS FROM AN AIRPORT THAT IS ON THE COAST. THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS A FEW MILES INLAND HAD BEEN OBSCURED BY CLOUDS AND LOW CEILINGS FOR SEVERAL HOURS. ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT CONTACTED AN APPROACH CONTROL FACILITY TO REQUEST VISUAL FLIGHT RULES FLIGHT FOLLOWING. ABOUT ONE MINUTE AFTER THAT FIRST CONTACT, THE PILOT STARTED GIVING INDICATIONS THAT HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WEATHER AND WITH FINDING HIS EXACT POSITION. WITHIN ABOUT 3 1/2 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE CONTROLLER, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE COULDN'T SEE 'ANYTHING'. THAT WAS HIS LAST KNOWN RADIO TRANSMISSION. HIS TRANSPONDER SQUAWK CODE DISAPPEARED FROM THE CONTROLLER'S RADAR SCREEN AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE LAST KNOWN TRANSMISSION. THE CONTROLLER ASKED THE PILOT SEVERAL TIMES IF HE WAS VMC OR VFR. THE PILOT RESPONDED AFFIRMATIVELY EVERY TIME. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A MOUNTAIN AT ABOUT THE 3,300 FEET LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8019N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8019N-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 28-8290073, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8290073
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Wind Aviation
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 75 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken
- Observed at: SBA, 19 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 19910420011729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910420011729A), Apr 20, 1991: Piper PA28181, Carpinteria, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Impacted side of a cloud obscured mountain during hours of darkness. Appeared unsure position and safe 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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