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NTSB Report
December 27, 1986 · Piper PA-28R-201 · N50U
Gorman, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Gorman, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N50U
Operator
Gold Coast Air
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA071
THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE SURVIVING PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTENDING TO PAPERWORK AND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHT IN TIME TO SEE TREES JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AT 8,500 FEET WHEN HE LAST NOTICED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 6,500 FEET.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE SURVIVING PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTENDING TO PAPERWORK AND WHEN HE LOOKED UP HE TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHT IN TIME TO SEE TREES JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT AT 8,500 FEET WHEN HE LAST NOTICED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF 6,500 FEET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN50U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGold Coast Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO