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NTSB Report
December 5, 1987 · Piper PA-38-112 · N123JY
Dunsmuir, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Dunsmuir, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N123JY
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88LA066
A PIPER PA-38-112 COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HIS DESTINATION WEATHER WAS MARGINAL AND HE DID NOT UPDATE HIS WEATHER BRIEFING ENROUTE. THE PILOT WAS FLYING DOWN A VALLEY AT AN ALTITUDE OF 6,500 FEET MSL FOLLOWING AN INTERSTATE UNDER AN OVERCAST CEILING WHICH THE PILOT REPORTED AT 7,500 FEET MSL. THE PILOT INDICATED HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS AND TURBULENCE. HE THEN FLEW INTO CLOUDS LOST ALTITUDE AND CRASHED INTO TREES.
Full Narrative
A PIPER PA-38-112 COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HIS DESTINATION WEATHER WAS MARGINAL AND HE DID NOT UPDATE HIS WEATHER BRIEFING ENROUTE. THE PILOT WAS FLYING DOWN A VALLEY AT AN ALTITUDE OF 6,500 FEET MSL FOLLOWING AN INTERSTATE UNDER AN OVERCAST CEILING WHICH THE PILOT REPORTED AT 7,500 FEET MSL. THE PILOT INDICATED HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS AND TURBULENCE. HE THEN FLEW INTO CLOUDS LOST ALTITUDE AND CRASHED INTO TREES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN123JY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightBright Night
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:50
Weather SourceWFAC