Piper PA-31T-II N60AW
17 February 1992 · Big Bear, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 17 February 1992 at about 00:35 local time, a Piper PA-31T-II registered N60AW, operated by Andrew & Williamson Sales Co., was involved in an accident near Big Bear, California, United States. 7 people were on board and 7 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 00:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Big Bear, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 34.2596, -116.8402
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31T-II
- Registration
- N60AW
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Andrew & Williamson Sales Co.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- San Diego → Big Bear City
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92FA120
People
7 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN CONTINUING VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOTS HAD ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE 5 PAX TO FLY THEM TO A SKI RESORT. THE AIRPLANE OWNER STATED THAT THE PIC, WHO WAS THE COMPANY PILOT, DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE THE AIRPLANE, NOR DID THE OWNER KNOW THE PAX. THE AIRPORT AT THE SKI RESORT IS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT 6,750 FT MSL. THERE IS NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THERE IS NO RECORD OF ANY WEATHER BRIEFINGS. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT ABOUT 6,580 FT MSL APRX 7.5 MI SW OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. WEATHER FOR THE AREA WAS: MOUNTAINS LOCALLY OBSCURED 3000 TO 5000 FEET SCATTERED TO BROKEN WITH TOPS TO 9000, AND WIDELY SCATTERED VISIBILITIES BELOW 3 MILES WITH SNOW AND RAIN SHOWERS. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND IMPACT SITE REVEALED THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE BRUSH AND SNOW COVERED 45 DEG SLOPE IN A LEVEL LEFT TURN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-31T accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Nov 1992 | Piper PA-31T-620 | Medford, Oregon, United States | Ameriflight Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jun 1992 | Piper PA-31T | Addison, Texas, United States | RR Investments | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jan 1992 | Piper PA-31T | Swanton, Ohio, United States | Testa, Thomas J. | Fatal | 3 |
| 31 Mar 1991 | Piper PA-31T | Kenai, Alaska, United States | South Central Air, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 2 Dec 1993 | Piper PA-31T | Norwich, Ohio, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 22 Sep 1991 | Piper PA-31T-620 | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | Brazos Roofing Intl., Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Ludlow, California, United States | Higgins, Melvin W & Jean | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Feb 1992 | Beechcraft C-23 | Fullerton, California, United States | Eldon R. Howe | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 150 | San Jose, California, United States | Veda Corporation | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Cessna 182N | San Ardo, California, United States | Soil Service, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Grumman G-164B | Dixon, California, United States | Sunrise Duster, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1992 | Bellanca 7ECA | Apple Valley, California, United States | Chester Waite | Serious injuries | - |