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NTSB Report

November 28, 1987 · Piper PA-11 · N4767H

San Marcos, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 28, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
San Marcos, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-11
Tail Number
N4767H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA061

THE 2 PLTS TOOK OFF ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT WHICH WAS TO BE A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FOR THE ACFT OWNER. DURING THE FLT, THE PLTS FLEW TO A DIRT STRIP ON A SADDLEBACK BETWEEN 2 MTN PEAKS NEAR SAN MARCOS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A BOULDER & CRASHED NEAR THE NORTHEAST END OF THE STRIP. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE ACDNT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT HAD STRUCK THE BOULDER AFTER THE PLTS MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE STRIP ON A NORTHEASTERLY HDG. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT NORTHEAST OF THE BOULDER WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE PROP BLADES CONTAINED CHORDWISE SCORING & MASSIVE SMEARING OR LEADING EDGE DAMAGE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE RWY REVEALED NO INDCN OF THE ACFT TOUCHING DOWN BEFORE IMPACT. EVIDENCE WAS INCONCLUSIVE AS TO WHICH PLT WAS MANIPULATING THE CONTROLS WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. ON THIS FLT, THE OWNER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE PLT-IN-COMMAND.

Full Narrative

THE 2 PLTS TOOK OFF ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT WHICH WAS TO BE A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FOR THE ACFT OWNER. DURING THE FLT, THE PLTS FLEW TO A DIRT STRIP ON A SADDLEBACK BETWEEN 2 MTN PEAKS NEAR SAN MARCOS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A BOULDER & CRASHED NEAR THE NORTHEAST END OF THE STRIP. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE ACDNT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT HAD STRUCK THE BOULDER AFTER THE PLTS MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE STRIP ON A NORTHEASTERLY HDG. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT NORTHEAST OF THE BOULDER WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE PROP BLADES CONTAINED CHORDWISE SCORING & MASSIVE SMEARING OR LEADING EDGE DAMAGE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE RWY REVEALED NO INDCN OF THE ACFT TOUCHING DOWN BEFORE IMPACT. EVIDENCE WAS INCONCLUSIVE AS TO WHICH PLT WAS MANIPULATING THE CONTROLS WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. ON THIS FLT, THE OWNER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE PLT-IN-COMMAND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 PST
Nearest AirportMountain Strip (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-11
Tail NumberN4767H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data