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NTSB Report
April 17, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1681J
Essex, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Essex, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1681J
Operator
Cadoret Dollard H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA168
THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A RETURN LEG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT PATH WAS INTO STEEPLY RISING TERRAIN IN A BOX CANYON. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR MOUNTAIN WAVES WITH HEAVY DOWNDRAFTS ON THE LEE SIDE OF MOUNTAINS. THE AIRCRAFT WRECAKGE WAS FOUND ON THE LEE SIDE OF A 7,000 FT RIDGE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ENSURE TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHILE MOUNTAIN FLYING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A RETURN LEG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT PATH WAS INTO STEEPLY RISING TERRAIN IN A BOX CANYON. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR MOUNTAIN WAVES WITH HEAVY DOWNDRAFTS ON THE LEE SIDE OF MOUNTAINS. THE AIRCRAFT WRECAKGE WAS FOUND ON THE LEE SIDE OF A 7,000 FT RIDGE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1681J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCadoret Dollard H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 23 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:49
Weather SourceWFAC