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NTSB Report
November 8, 1985 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N3096R
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N3096R
Operator
Paul a Gordon
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA036
THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE OBSERVED THE ARPT'S WIND SOCK IN PREPARATION FOR DEPARTURE THE WIND WAS BLOWING DOWN THE RWY WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS THAT DID NOT SEEM OVER 20 KTS. AFTER TAKING OFF & CLIMBING TO ABT 100 FT AGL, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH A MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITION. THE PLT STATED & A GROUND- BASED WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT RAPIDLY ROLLED 90 DEG. RT & DESCENDED. JUST BEFORE COLLIDING WITH TERRAIN THE ACFT'S WINGS WERE LEVELED. NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED BY THE PLT. 30 MIN AFTER THE CRASH THE ARPT'S SPECIAL WX OBSERVATION LISTED THE PRESENCE OF STANDING LENTICULAR ALTOCUMULUS CLDS IN ALL QUADRANTS, & THE SURFACE WINDS WERE 15 KTS GUSTING TO 25 KTS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE OBSERVED THE ARPT'S WIND SOCK IN PREPARATION FOR DEPARTURE THE WIND WAS BLOWING DOWN THE RWY WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS THAT DID NOT SEEM OVER 20 KTS. AFTER TAKING OFF & CLIMBING TO ABT 100 FT AGL, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE LIKELY ASSOCIATED WITH A MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITION. THE PLT STATED & A GROUND- BASED WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ACFT RAPIDLY ROLLED 90 DEG. RT & DESCENDED. JUST BEFORE COLLIDING WITH TERRAIN THE ACFT'S WINGS WERE LEVELED. NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED BY THE PLT. 30 MIN AFTER THE CRASH THE ARPT'S SPECIAL WX OBSERVATION LISTED THE PRESENCE OF STANDING LENTICULAR ALTOCUMULUS CLDS IN ALL QUADRANTS, & THE SURFACE WINDS WERE 15 KTS GUSTING TO 25 KTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:40 PST
Nearest AirportMammoth-June Lakes (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN3096R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul a Gordon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-CIC · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:10
Weather SourcePILO