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NTSB Report
November 26, 1990 · Piper PA-28-161 · N2601X
Livermore, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Livermore, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N2601X
Operator
Trans Bay Airways
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91LA042
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF WITH A SVFR CLEARANCE, INTENDING TO FLY HOME. WEATHER AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT (ELEV 397 FT) WAS: SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, ESTIMATED 900 FT BROKEN, 3000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 4 MILES WITH RAIN. DURING DEPARTURE, THE VISIBILITY DECREASED TO ONE MILE, AND THE PILOT BECAME UNCERTAIN OF HER POSITION IN DETERIORATING WEATHER. SHE ENCOUNTERED RISING TERRAIN AND INITIATED A CLIMB. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN APROXIMATELY 8 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADVERTENT FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND/OR CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE ADVERSE WEATHER AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF WITH A SVFR CLEARANCE, INTENDING TO FLY HOME. WEATHER AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT (ELEV 397 FT) WAS: SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, ESTIMATED 900 FT BROKEN, 3000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 4 MILES WITH RAIN. DURING DEPARTURE, THE VISIBILITY DECREASED TO ONE MILE, AND THE PILOT BECAME UNCERTAIN OF HER POSITION IN DETERIORATING WEATHER. SHE ENCOUNTERED RISING TERRAIN AND INITIATED A CLIMB. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN APROXIMATELY 8 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN2601X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTrans Bay Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 20 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0