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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 17, 1992 · Piper PA-31T-II · N60AW

Big Bear, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 1992
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (7 fatalities)
Location
Big Bear, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T-II
Tail Number
N60AW
Operator
Andrew & Williamson Sales
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX92FA120

THE PILOTS HAD ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE 5 PAX TO FLY THEM TO A SKI RESORT. THE AIRPLANE OWNER STATED THAT THE PIC, WHO WAS THE COMPANY PILOT, DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE THE AIRPLANE, NOR DID THE OWNER KNOW THE PAX. THE AIRPORT AT THE SKI RESORT IS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 6,750 FT MSL. THERE IS NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THERE IS NO RECORD OF ANY WEATHER BRIEFINGS. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT ABOUT 6,580 FT MSL APRX 7.5 MI SW OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WEATHER FOR THE AREA WAS: MOUNTAINS LOCALLY OBSCURED 3000 TO 5000 FEET SCATTERED TO BROKEN WITH TOPS TO 9000, AND WIDELY SCATTERED VISIBILITIES BELOW 3 MILES WITH SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND IMPACT SITE REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE BRUSH AND SNOW COVERED 45 DEG SLOPE IN A LEVEL LEFT TURN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN CONTINUING VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

THE PILOTS HAD ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE 5 PAX TO FLY THEM TO A SKI RESORT. THE AIRPLANE OWNER STATED THAT THE PIC, WHO WAS THE COMPANY PILOT, DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE THE AIRPLANE, NOR DID THE OWNER KNOW THE PAX. THE AIRPORT AT THE SKI RESORT IS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 6,750 FT MSL. THERE IS NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THERE IS NO RECORD OF ANY WEATHER BRIEFINGS. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT ABOUT 6,580 FT MSL APRX 7.5 MI SW OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WEATHER FOR THE AREA WAS: MOUNTAINS LOCALLY OBSCURED 3000 TO 5000 FEET SCATTERED TO BROKEN WITH TOPS TO 9000, AND WIDELY SCATTERED VISIBILITIES BELOW 3 MILES WITH SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND IMPACT SITE REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE BRUSH AND SNOW COVERED 45 DEG SLOPE IN A LEVEL LEFT TURN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31T-II
Tail NumberN60AW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAndrew & Williamson Sales
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 620
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (7 fatalities)
Fatal7
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data