# NTSB WPR17LA124: Piper PA28, N2171D, Carpinteria, CA, June 10, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 2017, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Carpinteria, CA - Coordinates: 34.447223, -119.449165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4472&lon=-119.4492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 95341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95341/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95341 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA124 ## Probable cause The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated private pilot reported that, while en route, he encountered clouds about 2,200 ft above ground level (agl). He descended the airplane to 2,100 ft agl to try to get out of the clouds, but he still could not see outside. The pilot reported that he decided not to climb nor contact air traffic control; the airplane impacted a tree-covered mountain ridge and came to rest upright with its left wing bent aft. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 2017, about 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA28-161 airplane, N2171D, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions about 4 nautical miles (nm) northeast of Carpinteria, California. The non-instrument rated private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by National Air College International Inc., San Diego, California. The personal cross-country flight was being operated in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot departed Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MFY), San Diego, California, about 1100, and was destined for Santa Ynez Airport (IZA), Santa Ynez, California.In a report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the coastline was covered in overcast clouds, and over Santa Barbara (SBA), California, about 19 nm west-northwest of the accident site, the clouds were at 2,200 ft above ground level (agl). The pilot stated that due to the clouds, he began to descend to get the ground in sight, but at 2,100 ft agl he was still in a thick cloud and could not see outside. The pilot reported that after he failed to make a decision to climb or contact air traffic control for assistance, he crashed into a mountain ridge. The airplane came to rest upright on a westerly heading with its left wing bent back at mid-span. The pilot was able to contact emergency responders by cell phone. Search and rescue personnel located the downed airplane and rescued the pilot by helicopter about 1700. A strong presence of fuel was detected at the accident site. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine prior to or during the flight that would have precluded normal operations. The weather reporting facility at SBA, located about 19 nm west of the accident site, revealed a ceiling of 2,800 ft agl about 35 minutes prior to the accident, and a ceiling of 2,600 ft agl about 20 minutes following the accident. Winds were reported out of the south and southwest from 6 to 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2171D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2171D-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 28-7916146, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (161) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7916146 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 15034 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2017, 35 hours before - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: IZA, Sant Ynez, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 280 total, 50 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 102 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: SBA, 19 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 20170610010909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170610010909A), Jun 10, 2017: Piper PA-28-161, Carpinteria, CA, Substantial damage. ^Mr. Chaewon ko, ^pilot of N2171D, stated he departed montgomery-gibbs executive airport(kmfy), san diego, CA, enroute to santa ynez airport (kiza), santa… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95341. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465288&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Site Maps (item 2, .PDF, 7 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Maps-Master.PDF - Meteorology (item 3, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorology-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 4, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 780 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF 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.