# NTSB LAX91LA042: Piper PA-28-161, N2601X, Livermore, CA, November 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1990, 16:30 local (Nov 26, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.680339, -121.749206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6803&lon=-121.7492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA042

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND/OR CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  THE ADVERSE WEATHER AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF WITH A SVFR CLEARANCE, INTENDING TO FLY HOME.  WEATHER AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT (ELEV 397 FT) WAS: SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, ESTIMATED 900 FT BROKEN, 3000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 4 MILES WITH RAIN. DURING DEPARTURE, THE VISIBILITY DECREASED TO ONE MILE, AND THE PILOT BECAME UNCERTAIN OF HER POSITION IN DETERIORATING WEATHER.  SHE ENCOUNTERED RISING TERRAIN AND INITIATED A CLIMB.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN APROXIMATELY 8 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2601X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2601X-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 28-8516085, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8516085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trans Bay Airways
- Departed: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 122 total, 26 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- 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 19901125051999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901125051999A), Nov 25, 1990: Piper PA28161, Livermore, CA, Destroyed. Issued special VFR to depart under low ceiling,fog,and rain. Collided with rising terrain. Not IFR rated.

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.