# NTSB LAX92FA172: Piper PA-28R-200, N2968R, Placerville, CA, April 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1992, 19:37 local (Apr 13, 1992, 02:37 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.729999, -120.799919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7300&lon=-120.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WHICH ENDURED AIRFRAME LOADS THAT EXCEEDED THE AIRCRAFT'S DESIGN STRESS LIMITS.  FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT RELATED TO THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE, AND TO HIS LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(va) - exceeded, pilot in command
  - spiral - not corrected, pilot in command
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - failure,total
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - failure,total
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING DURING WHICH HE WAS INFORMED THAT MODERATE TURBULENCE MAY BE ENCOUNTERED ALONG THE ROUTE.  THE PILOT FILED AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLAN, RECEIVED HIS CLEARANCE AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT MISHAP.  NO COMMUNICATION OR NAVIGATION DIFFICULITIES WERE REPORTED DURING THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB TO 11,000 FEET.  WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT LIKELY ENCOUNTERED THE FORECAST TURBULENCE.  THE RADAR TRACK PLOT SHOWS THE AIRPLANE INITIALLY ON COURSE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A RIGHT SPIRAL DESCENDING TURN.  AT 19:35:58 THE AIRPLANE WAS AT 11,100 FEET.  AT 19:36:53 THE AIRPLANE WAS AT 3,100 FEET AND HAD COMPLETED AT LEAST ONE 360 DEGREE TURN.  PORTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING AND STABILATOR ASSEMBLY WERE FOUND ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE.  NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF THE PILOT HAVING RECENTLY COMPLETED A BFR.  DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR HE HAD LOGGED ABOUT 6.9 INSTRUMENT HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2968R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2968R-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 28R-35353, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-35353
- Airframe hours: 2885
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neil W. Clark
- Registered owner: Neil W. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1991, 107 hours before
- Departed: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA
- Destination: MMH, MAMMOTH, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,100 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHR, 25 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 19920412009649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920412009649A), Apr 12, 1992: Piper PA28R200, Placerville, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost outer portion right wing and stabilators in uncontrolled descent. Pilot lacked IFR currency. Icing in area.

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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