Piper PA-38-112 accident near Kettleman City, CA
On October 23, 1994, a Piper PA-38-112 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kettleman City, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 23, 1994
- Place
- Kettleman City, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-38-112 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.049°N, 119.990°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02458
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 22, 1994, at an undetermined time prior to 2358 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2326G, owned and operated by the pilot, descended into an open field about 4 nautical miles (nmi) south of Kettleman City, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed, and the student pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Compton, California, at an undetermined time on October 22, 1994. Family members reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that the pilot had likely departed Southern California on October 22, 1994. A Rancho Palos Verdes-based automated bank teller receipt was located in the pilot's personal effects. The receipt was date/time stamped October 22, 1994, around 1100. The pilot's intended destination may have the Chandler Downtown (uncontrolled) Airport, Fresno, California. Family members further reported that when the pilot flew from Southern California to Fresno, he typically flew over Interstate 5 until several miles north of Bakersfield. Then, the pilot would fly directly toward Fresno. The Safety Board located the pilot's automobile at the Compton (uncontrolled) Airport. The car was parked adjacent to a vacant airplane tie-down spot. Airport management personnel reported that the tie-down location had been leased to the pilot. (See attached County of Los Angeles lease agreement form.) The Safety Board was not able to determine the pilot's route of flight between Compton and Kettleman City. The crash sit
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATION/INSTRUCTOR ENDORSEMENT FOR A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT AT NIGHT.
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Browse: California · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
