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NTSB Report
February 21, 1988 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8321K
Rosamond, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Rosamond, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8321K
Operator
Barnes Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA113
THE PLT RENTED THE ACFT WITH THE STATED INTENTION OF TAKING SUNSET PHOTOS; HOWEVER, NO CAMERA WAS FND IN THE ACFT AFTER IT HAD CRASHED. WITNESSES AT A RESIDENCE NEAR THE CRASH SITE SAW THE ACFT MAKE 2 PASSES OVER THEIR POSITION. THEY RPRTD THAT THE PASSES WERE SO LOW THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACFT HITTING THE HOUSE. AS THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD THE HOUSE ON THE 3RD PASS, IT COLLIDED WITH THE CREST OF A HILL. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 12 MIN AFTER SUNSET. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED METHAMPHETAMINE & AMPHETAMINE AT RESPECTIVE LEVELS OF 0.888 MG/L & 0.072 MG/L. A CHECK OF HIS URINE SHOWED A THC (MARIJUANA METABOLITE) LEVEL OF 269 NG/DL. HIS URINE ALSO TESTED POSITIVE FOR METHAMPHETAMINE, AMPHETAMINE,ACETAMINOPHEN & NICOTINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
DECISION OF THE PILOT TO ATTEMPT MULTIPLE LOW LEVEL PASSES OVER A RESIDENCE IN AN AREA OF RISING TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND AMPHETAMINE FOUND IN BOTH THE PILOT'S BLOOD AND URINE SPECIMENS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RENTED THE ACFT WITH THE STATED INTENTION OF TAKING SUNSET PHOTOS; HOWEVER, NO CAMERA WAS FND IN THE ACFT AFTER IT HAD CRASHED. WITNESSES AT A RESIDENCE NEAR THE CRASH SITE SAW THE ACFT MAKE 2 PASSES OVER THEIR POSITION. THEY RPRTD THAT THE PASSES WERE SO LOW THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACFT HITTING THE HOUSE. AS THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD THE HOUSE ON THE 3RD PASS, IT COLLIDED WITH THE CREST OF A HILL. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ABOUT 12 MIN AFTER SUNSET. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED METHAMPHETAMINE & AMPHETAMINE AT RESPECTIVE LEVELS OF 0.888 MG/L & 0.072 MG/L. A CHECK OF HIS URINE SHOWED A THC (MARIJUANA METABOLITE) LEVEL OF 269 NG/DL. HIS URINE ALSO TESTED POSITIVE FOR METHAMPHETAMINE, AMPHETAMINE,ACETAMINOPHEN & NICOTINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:52 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8321K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBarnes Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility80 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:51
Weather SourceWFAC