# NTSB LAX92LA399: Piper 601P, N711YM, Bakersfield, CA, September 20, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1992, 19:15 local (Sep 20, 1992, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.340679, -119.070846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3407&lon=-119.0708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27773
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA399
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27773/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA399

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR AN INTENTIONAL LOW PASS.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOTS IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGERS DEPARTED BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, FOR AN EVENING FLIGHT TO SANTA BARBARA FOR DINNER. THE PILOT STATED THAT ON THE WAY HE DECIDED TO FLY OVER THREE OF HIS CITRUS RANCHES AND CHECK THEM FROM THE AIR. HE STATED THAT HE WAS TRAVELING AT '250 PLUS MPH' AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE AND CLIPPED A 12,000 VOLT PG&E POWER LINE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED UP TO 1,500 FEET AND CHECKED ALL SYSTEMS. HE THEN FLEW 30 MILES BACK TO BAKERSFIELD AND MADE AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711YM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N711YM-2018-03-28), registration cancelled 2018-03-28, S/N 61P-0215-023, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0215-023
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mitchell D. Slayman
- Registered owner: Mitchell D. Slayman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1992
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,462 total, 432 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920919042109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920919042109A), Sep 19, 1992: Piper PA60601P, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Flew low over pilots orchard. High speed to check fruit. Hit power line. Pulled up returned bfl. Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N711YM (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN14FA494](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA494), Sep 10, 2014: Smith Aerostar 601P (N711YM), Austin, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient clearance from trees during the single-engine landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the loss of power in the left engine due to an improperly…

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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