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NTSB Report
April 5, 1985 · Piper PA-28-161 · N80530
Tahoe Paradise, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Tahoe Paradise, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N80530
Operator
Executive Aero Systems
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85FXQ01
THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN DURING AN ATTEMPTED CLIMB IN A NARROW CANYON. THE PLT STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB IN ORDER TO CLEAR RISING TERRAIN IN THE CANYON WHEN A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED. HE STATED, HE CLEARED THE TOP OF THE RIDGE AT 9000 FT WHEN THE DOWNDRAFT WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES. LEVEL FLT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE TREES.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN DURING AN ATTEMPTED CLIMB IN A NARROW CANYON. THE PLT STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB IN ORDER TO CLEAR RISING TERRAIN IN THE CANYON WHEN A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED. HE STATED, HE CLEARED THE TOP OF THE RIDGE AT 9000 FT WHEN THE DOWNDRAFT WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES. LEVEL FLT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE TREES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:05 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN80530
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorExecutive Aero Systems
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 10 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO