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NTSB Report
June 12, 1988 · Piper PA-28-161 · N43310
Palm Springs, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 12, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Palm Springs, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N43310
Operator
Mercury Air Center
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88LA222
THE FLIGHT DEPT ON A DARK NIGHT, BUT THE PILOT REPORTED THE PREVAILING VISIBILITY WAS GREATER THAN 25 MILES. AFTER DEPARTING THE PILOT TURNED LEFT AND BEGAN AN ON-COURSE CLIMB TOWARD A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. WHEN THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE MOUNTAIN PEAK THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY PULLED UP, BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAIN PEAK. THE PILOT AND PAX REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT MISJUDGED THE ALTITUDE OF THE MOUNTAIN PEAK.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT DEPT ON A DARK NIGHT, BUT THE PILOT REPORTED THE PREVAILING VISIBILITY WAS GREATER THAN 25 MILES. AFTER DEPARTING THE PILOT TURNED LEFT AND BEGAN AN ON-COURSE CLIMB TOWARD A MOUNTAINOUS AREA. WHEN THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE MOUNTAIN PEAK THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY PULLED UP, BUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAIN PEAK. THE PILOT AND PAX REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:15 PDT
Nearest AirportPalm Springs (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length8500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN43310
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMercury Air Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO