# NTSB WPR22LA144: Piper PA-28-151, N42764, Alpine, CA, March 19, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 19, 2022, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Alpine, CA - Coordinates: 32.929204, -116.66529 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9292&lon=-116.6653&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104898/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104898 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while operating in a canyon, which resulted in an impact with terrain ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102805), [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-28-151, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, he entered a valley and descended to an altitude of about 300 to 500 ft above the ground. As the pilot began a climb to clear an upcoming ridgeline, he realized that the airplane would not clear the terrain despite making S-turns and adjusting to best rate of climb airspeed. Subsequently, he initiated an emergency landing and the airplane impacted terrain in a level attitude, which substantially damaged the left wing and underside of the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42764](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42764-2023-10-28), registration cancelled 2023-10-28, S/N 28-7415399, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7415399 - Year built: 1974 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Skinner Colin C - Registered owner: Skinner Colin C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SEE, El Cajon, CA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 7, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 134.4 total, 37 in this make and model, 134.4 as pilot in command, 10.2 in the last 90 days, 10.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: SEE, 18.2 nm away - METAR: 19/03/2022 23:47->METAR KSEE 192347Z 28008KT 10SM SKC 17/10 A2998= ## 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 20220319003999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220319003999A), Mar 19, 2022: Piper PA-28-151, Descanso, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was conducting some standard practice maneuvers when he noticed his "climb rate" was insufficient. While attempting to climb the airplane out of a canyon… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104898. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13756666&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AAA%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20WPR22LA144_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13755313&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20of%20WPR22LA144-Rel.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.