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NTSB Report
January 9, 1985 · Piper PA-28-161 · N29493
Beaumont, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Beaumont, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N29493
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA103
THE ACFT WAS ON A PERSONAL VFR FLT TO SANTA BARBARA, CA, ON A DARK OVCST NIGHT. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS WITH LGT RAIN PREVAILED. GND WITNESSES RPTD THE ACFT WAS FOLLOWING THE HWY AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT RPTD HE INADVERTENTLY BEGAN FOLLOWING THE WRONG HWY AND THAT HE WAS TURNING THE ACFT TO THE LEFT TO REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT AND PASSENGER REPORTED THE ACFT AND ENGINE WERE PERFORMING NORMALLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS ON A PERSONAL VFR FLT TO SANTA BARBARA, CA, ON A DARK OVCST NIGHT. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS WITH LGT RAIN PREVAILED. GND WITNESSES RPTD THE ACFT WAS FOLLOWING THE HWY AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT RPTD HE INADVERTENTLY BEGAN FOLLOWING THE WRONG HWY AND THAT HE WAS TURNING THE ACFT TO THE LEFT TO REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT AND PASSENGER REPORTED THE ACFT AND ENGINE WERE PERFORMING NORMALLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:20 PST
Nearest Airport9nm SW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN29493
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind130° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time06:55
Weather SourceWFAC