Piper PA-31-T1 accident near Baker, NV
On August 8, 1998, a Piper PA-31-T1 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Baker, NV. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 8, 1998
- Place
- Baker, NV
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31-T1 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.899°N, 114.200°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10886
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 8, 1998, about 1149 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-31-T1, N6JM, was destroyed near Baker, Nevada, after an uncontrolled descent into terrain. The pilot and two passengers received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by Gray Leasing, Inc., Searcy, Arkansas. The flight originated at Santa Rosa, California, about 1045, and was destined for Searcy with an en route stop at Wichita, Kansas. The pilot filed for an IFR flight plan for 25,000 feet msl, and at 1055, while en route, he amended it to 27,000 feet. About 36 minutes after the altitude change to 27,000 feet, the pilot advised Salt Lake Air Traffic Control Center (SLC) that he had lost cabin pressure and needed an immediate descent. At the controller's request he restated his transmission. About 20 seconds after the initial request for a lower altitude, the pilot was given a clearance to descend to 25,000 feet. About 15 seconds later he was cleared to descend to 15,000 feet, and he acknowledged. At this point radio communications started deteoriating; the pilot responded two more times "6JM." Additional calls from SLC were with microphone clicks only and no carrier. According to radar data, the aircraft started a gradual descent with slight heading changes to 25,900 feet, and then a rapid descent with loss of radio and radar contact. PERSONNEL INFORMATION No pilot logbook or flight records were recovered from the aircraft or from the pilot's
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to comply with a 12,500-foot altitude restriction placed on the aircraft by an FAA approved maintenance facility due to unresolved oxygen system issues. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to divulge his true physical condition and need for medication during his application for an Airman Medical Certificate.
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Browse: Nevada · 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.
