# NTSB LAX93FA119: Piper PA-32-300, N15267, Truckee, CA, February 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1993, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA119

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

DURING HIS WEATHER BRIEFING THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO CLOUDS OBSCURING THE MOUNTAINS AND/OR PRECIPITATION ALONG THE ENTIRE ROUTE. WITNESSES SKIING ABOUT 3/4 MI FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED HEARING AIRPLANE ENGINE SOUNDS OVERHEAD; THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT OBSERVED DUE TO LOW CLOUDS AND SNOW FLURRIES. THE ENGINE SOUND ABRUPTLY ENDED WITH A METALLIC THUD. THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED 33 DEG UPSLOPING TERRAIN AT ABOUT 8.600 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15267](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15267-2012-08-07), registration cancelled 2012-08-07, S/N 32-7340028, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (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: 32-7340028
- Airframe hours: 2011
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Baker, Raymond C. Sr.
- Registered owner: Baker, Raymond C. Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1992, 14 hours before
- Departed: O04, CARSON CITY, NV
- Destination: Q88, PARADISE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 11 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK, 12 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 19930215002429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930215002429A), Feb 15, 1993: Piper PA32300, Truckee, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. VFR flight flew into IFR conditions crashed into side of snow covered mountain in blizzerd conditions.

## Other investigations on N15267 (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 CHI75FEI06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEI06), Aug 4, 1974: Piper PA-32 (N15267), Toledo, OH, substantial damage

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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