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NTSB Report
August 6, 1989 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6274W
Toms Place, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Toms Place, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6274W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA276
THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A HIGH ELEVATION BASIN LOCATED ABOVE 10,000 FEET MSL IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE RIM OF THE BASIN WAS DETERMINED TO BE ABOVE 12,500 FEET. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT 10,500 FEET MSL WAS ABOUT 12,500 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT'S BEST RATE OF CLIMB WAS LESS THAN 400 FEET PER MILE. THE FLOOR OF THE BASIN ROSE IN ELEVATION ABOUT 400 FEET PER MILE IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TERRAIN OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ENTERING A HIGH ELEVATION BASIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WHICH REDUCED THE AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE TO LESS THAN THE RATE OF CLIMB OF THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A HIGH ELEVATION BASIN LOCATED ABOVE 10,000 FEET MSL IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE RIM OF THE BASIN WAS DETERMINED TO BE ABOVE 12,500 FEET. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT 10,500 FEET MSL WAS ABOUT 12,500 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT'S BEST RATE OF CLIMB WAS LESS THAN 400 FEET PER MILE. THE FLOOR OF THE BASIN ROSE IN ELEVATION ABOUT 400 FEET PER MILE IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6274W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
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 29 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC