Piper PA-23-250 accident near Lucerne Valley, CA
On December 22, 1996, a Piper PA-23-250 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Lucerne Valley, CA. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 22, 1996
- Place
- Lucerne Valley, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-250 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.521°N, 116.879°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07186
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 22, 1996, at 1044 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-23-250, N2377T, en route to John Wayne airport, crashed and burned while diverting to Apple Valley airport, Lucerne, California. The aircraft was destroyed, and the certificated commercial pilot and her three passengers received fatal injuries. The aircraft was rented by the pilot from Command Aviation, Inc., for the cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the morning of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and an IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot was VFR on top at 8,500 feet msl when she advised Los Angeles ARTCC that she would be able to maintain VFR for only a few miles. She also reported that she was beginning to pickup ice. The controller suggested that she deviate to the west and she replied that she would turn to a heading of 240 degrees. At 1043, the pilot advised the controller that she was unable to maintain altitude, that she was experiencing moderate to severe turbulence, and then asked for the nearest airport. The controller replied that the nearest airport was Apple Valley on a heading of 290 degrees and 15 miles. The pilot then reported that her door had popped open. The controller then issued an amended heading of 280 degrees for the Apple Valley airport. There was no further radio contact from the pilot and radar contact was lost at 1044. A witness reported to San Bernardino sheriff's deputies that he saw the aircraft level about 500 feet agl. He said that as he w
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed after encountering turbulence, low level wind shear, and an open door.
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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.
