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NTSB Report

February 1, 1987 · Piper PA-28-181 · N75178

Gualala, CA

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

February 1, 1987

Injury Outcomes

1 injury (1 fatality)

Location

Gualala, CA

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Tail Number

N75178

Injuries

Fatal

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

LAX87FA103

THE STUDENT PLT, FLYING HIS OWN ACFT, TOOK OFF UNDER VFR CONDITIONS FOR AN INTENDED 45 MIN SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WX & ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ENTER CLOUDS, TURN LEFT & COLLIDE WITH TREES ON UPSLOPING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE STUDENT PLT'S CERTIFICATE WAS NOT ENDORSED FOR SOLO OR SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLYING.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PLT, FLYING HIS OWN ACFT, TOOK OFF UNDER VFR CONDITIONS FOR AN INTENDED 45 MIN SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WX & ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT ENTER CLOUDS, TURN LEFT & COLLIDE WITH TREES ON UPSLOPING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE STUDENT PLT'S CERTIFICATE WAS NOT ENDORSED FOR SOLO OR SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLYING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time12:00 PST

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181

Tail NumberN75178

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageDestroyed

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)

Fatal1

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total1

Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC

LightDaylight

WindCalm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourceWIT

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February 1, 1987 · Piper PA-28-181 · N75178

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Full Narrative