N8272YPIPER PA-28-181 1991-09-21 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

PIPER PA-28-181 S/N: 28-8190045

Summary

On September 21, 1991, a Piper PA-28-181 (N8272Y) was involved in an accident near Cupertino, CA. The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE, HIS IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION TO ATTEMPT FLIGHT BELOW THE BASE OF AN OVERCAST LAYER OF CLOUDS TOWARD RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE FLIGHT'S INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED WEATHER EVALUATION AND HIS IMPROPER VFR PROCEDURES.

This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX91FA399. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8272Y.

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, September 21, 1991
NTSB Number
LAX91FA399
Location
CUPERTINO, CA
Event ID
20001212X18107
Coordinates
37.299816, -122.089866
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE, HIS IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION TO ATTEMPT FLIGHT BELOW THE BASE OF AN OVERCAST LAYER OF CLOUDS TOWARD RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE FLIGHT'S INADVERTENT ENTRY INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED WEATHER EVALUATION AND HIS IMPROPER VFR PROCEDURES.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
28-8190045
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
PA-28-181 P28A
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
RATTNER LEWIS J DR
Address
193 ARCH STREET
Status
Deregistered
City
REDWOOD CITY
State / Zip Code
CA 94062
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX91FA399