N39459PIPER PA32RT-300 1991-12-31 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

PIPER PA32RT-300 S/N: 32R-7885219

Summary

On December 31, 1991, a Piper PA32RT-300 (N39459) was involved in an accident near Big Bear City, CA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries, with 2 people uninjured out of 4 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY THE COMPANY OF A HAND CONTROL MECHANISM THAT REQUIRED THE PILOT TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE CONTROLS WITH ONE HAND AND RESTRICTED VISUAL OUTLOOK DUE TO THE EXISTING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX92LA074. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N39459.

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, December 31, 1991
NTSB Number
LAX92LA074
Location
BIG BEAR CITY, CA
Event ID
20001212X18628
Coordinates
34.260318, -116.840835
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY THE COMPANY OF A HAND CONTROL MECHANISM THAT REQUIRED THE PILOT TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE CONTROLS WITH ONE HAND AND RESTRICTED VISUAL OUTLOOK DUE TO THE EXISTING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
32R-7885219
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1978
Model / ICAO
PA32RT-300
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
7
FAA Model
PA-32RT-300

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
HUBERT L HOOKS JONES CHPT OF TUSKEGEE AIRMEN INC
Address
PO BOX 370431
City
DENVER
State / Zip Code
CO 80237-0431
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# LAX92LA074