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NTSB Report
February 8, 1986 · Piper PA-28-140 · N9974W
Joshua Tree, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Joshua Tree, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N9974W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA111
ON FEB 28 1986, AT 0830 PST, A PIPER PA-28 COLLIDED WITH A TREE AFTER A FORCED LANDING. IMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. A/C FLEW INTO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS ENROUTE AND CLIMBED TO 11,000 FEET MSL TO GET ABOVE IT. DURING THE CLIMB IMC WAS ENCOUNTERED. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS PARTIALLY ON THROUGHOUT THE CLIMB AND FULL ON DURING CRUISE AT 11,000 FEET WITH THE MIXTURE FULL RICH. THE AIRCRAFT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT 200 FEET AGL IN SNOW SHOWERS. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN ROUGH TERRAIN ADJACENT TO ROAD PARALLELED BY WIRES.
Full Narrative
ON FEB 28 1986, AT 0830 PST, A PIPER PA-28 COLLIDED WITH A TREE AFTER A FORCED LANDING. IMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. A/C FLEW INTO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS ENROUTE AND CLIMBED TO 11,000 FEET MSL TO GET ABOVE IT. DURING THE CLIMB IMC WAS ENCOUNTERED. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. THE CARBURETOR HEAT WAS PARTIALLY ON THROUGHOUT THE CLIMB AND FULL ON DURING CRUISE AT 11,000 FEET WITH THE MIXTURE FULL RICH. THE AIRCRAFT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT 200 FEET AGL IN SNOW SHOWERS. THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN ROUGH TERRAIN ADJACENT TO ROAD PARALLELED BY WIRES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN9974W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:49
Weather SourceWFAC