# NTSB LAX92FA151: Piper PA 28-236, N4335N, Lebec, CA, March 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1992, 16:45 local (Mar 27, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Lebec, CA
- Coordinates: 34.86087, -118.870071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8609&lon=-118.8701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA151

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED INFLIGHT DECISION TO REVERSE COURSE TO AVOID FORECAST ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ICING CONDITIONS AND LIGHTNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning strike (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - separation
  - flight control,stabilator - separation
  - flight control,rudder - separation

## Analysis

ABOUT 30 MIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT RECEIVED AN IN-FLT WX BRIEF FROM EN ROUTE FLIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE (EFAS). THE PLT INDICATED TO THE EFAS THAT HE RECEIVED AN AIRMET REGARDING ICING CONDITIONS ALONG HIS ROUTE. THE PLT WAS THEN BRIEFED ON THUNDERSHOWERS, FREQUENT LIGHTNING CLOUD TO GND, AND PLT REPORTS OF MOD TURB AND LT MIXED ICING. THE PLT CONTINUED ON HIS FLT ROUTE AND 25 MIN AFTER HIS WX BRIEFING REPORTED AIRFRAME ICING CONDITIONS TO ATC. ATC ADVISED THE PLT OF MORE SEVERE WX AHEAD AND RECOMMENDED THE LT REVERSE COURSE. LESS THAN ONE MIN LATER, THE PLT REPORTED BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. ATC AMENDED THE PLT'S CLEARANCE INSTRUCTING HIM TO REVERSE COURSE WITH A LEFT TURN HEADING 330 DEG. THE PLT READ BACK THE CLEARANCE. AFTERWARDS BOTH RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST. RADAR DATA REVEALED THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT TURN AND CLIMBED 200 FT. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED ABOUT 1,200 FT IN 35 SECONDS. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH DE-ICING SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4335N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4335N-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 28-8411007, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 84 11007
- Airframe hours: 1131
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: N V Corporation
- Registered owner: N V Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,181 total, 62 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 40 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 19920326009949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920326009949A), Mar 26, 1992: Piper PA28236, Lebec, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Continued flight into known area thunderstorms,lightning and icing. Lost control. Wings and empennage separated.

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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