# NTSB LAX99LA254: Piper PA32R-300, N1692H, Mammoth Lakes, CA, July 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1999, 13:17 local (20:17 UTC) - Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA - Coordinates: 37.580505, -118.840583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5805&lon=-118.8406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46810/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA254 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed for the prevailing density altitude. The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff is also causal. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot added full fuel prior to departure. The AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) reported the density altitude was 9,400 feet. He reviewed the procedures for a high altitude takeoff, completed an engine run up, and leaned for departure. After taxiing into position for takeoff, he applied the brakes then power. The runway was slightly uphill and the pilot did not feel the airplane was developing full power, but he did not abort the takeoff. The airplane climbed approximately 200 feet, but would not climb higher. After deciding an attempt to turn could induce a stall, the pilot lowered the landing gear and airspeed as much as possible. He maintained a controlled descent into the terrain and estimated his speed at touchdown was 50 to 60 knots. The pilot felt the density altitude prevented the airplane from climbing. The airport had an elevation of 7,128 feet msl (mean sea level). An aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued reported the temperature was 73 degrees Fahrenheit and the altimeter setting was 30.22 inHg. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1999, at 1317 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA32R-300, N1692H, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during the takeoff initial climb from the Mammoth Lakes, California, airport. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 for a cross-country personal flight. The pilot departed Mammoth Lakes 3 to 4 minutes prior to the accident en route to Oxnard, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed, but not yet activated. The pilot stated he flew into Mammoth Lakes the day before the accident. He was planning to fly to Oxnard and then on to Monterrey, California, where the airplane was based. He added full fuel prior to departure. The pilot listened to the AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System), which reported a density altitude of 9,400 feet. He reviewed the procedures for a high altitude takeoff, completed an engine run up, and leaned for departure. After taxiing into position for takeoff, he applied the brakes, then power. The pilot stated the runway was slightly uphill and he did not feel the airplane was developing full power, but did not abort the takeoff. The airplane climbed approximately 200 feet, but would not climb higher. After deciding an attempt to turn could induce a stall, the pilot lowered the landing gear and airspeed as much as possible. He maintained a controlled descent into the terrain and estimated his speed at touchdown was 50 to 60 knots. The pilot said he felt the density altitude prevented the airplane from climbing. The airport facilities/directory indicated Mammoth Lakes had an elevation of 7,128 feet msl (mean sea level). An aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued for Mammoth Lakes at 1251 reported the temperature was 73 degrees Fahrenheit and the altimeter setting was 30.22 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1692H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1692H-2000-05-03), registration cancelled 2000-05-03, S/N 32R-7780177 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA32R-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7780177 - Airframe hours: 3089 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-KIG5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael L. Phillips - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1999, 22 hours before - Departed: MMH - Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MMH, Mammoth Lakes, runway 27, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,280 total, 12 in this make and model, 972 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MMH ## 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 19990717009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990717009129A), Jul 17, 1999: Piper PA32R300, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported "pilot error", crashed in a field. (.19)on July 17, 1999, at 1317 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper PA32R-300, N1692H, sustained substantial… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.