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NTSB Report
December 31, 1988 · Piper PA-28-180 · N5369L
Wrightwood, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Wrightwood, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N5369L
Operator
Clevenger John B
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89FA076
ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE TOWARD A MOUNTAIN RANGE AND ENTERED A VALLEY WITH RISING TERRAIN. STILL IN IMC, JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER REPORTED, THE PILOT SAW THE TERRAIN AND BEGAN A LEFT TURN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING THE MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE TOWARD A MOUNTAIN RANGE AND ENTERED A VALLEY WITH RISING TERRAIN. STILL IN IMC, JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER REPORTED, THE PILOT SAW THE TERRAIN AND BEGAN A LEFT TURN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING THE MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN5369L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorClevenger John B
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWIT