# NTSB LAX92FA120: Piper PA-31T-II, N60AW, Big Bear, CA, February 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1992, 16:35 local (Feb 17, 1992, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear, CA
- Coordinates: 34.259597, -116.84024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2596&lon=-116.8402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 7 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA120

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN CONTINUING VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOTS HAD ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE 5 PAX TO FLY THEM TO A SKI RESORT. THE AIRPLANE OWNER STATED THAT THE PIC, WHO WAS THE COMPANY PILOT, DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE THE AIRPLANE, NOR DID THE OWNER KNOW THE PAX. THE AIRPORT AT THE SKI RESORT IS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 6,750 FT MSL. THERE IS NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THERE IS NO RECORD OF ANY WEATHER BRIEFINGS. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT ABOUT 6,580 FT MSL APRX 7.5 MI SW OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WEATHER FOR THE AREA WAS: MOUNTAINS LOCALLY OBSCURED 3000 TO 5000 FEET SCATTERED TO BROKEN WITH TOPS TO 9000, AND WIDELY SCATTERED VISIBILITIES BELOW 3 MILES WITH SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND IMPACT SITE REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE BRUSH AND SNOW COVERED 45 DEG SLOPE IN A LEVEL LEFT TURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60AW-1992-06-23), registration cancelled 1992-06-23, S/N 31T8020051 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T-II
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-8020051
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Andrew & Williamson Sales Co.
- Registered owner: Andrew & Williamson Sales Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 7, 1991
- Departed: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: L35, BIG BEAR CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 15,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: L35, 8 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 19920216003099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920216003099A), Feb 16, 1992: Piper PA31T2, Big Bear, CA, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Flew into side of cloud-obscured mountain. Regular pilot refused trip because of weather conditions.

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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