Piper PA-28-140 accident near Phelan, CA
On December 4, 2002, a Piper PA-28-140 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Phelan, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 4, 2002
- Place
- Phelan, CA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.500°N, 117.567°W
- NTSB ID
- 20021217X05613
NTSB summary
On December 4, 2002, about 1210 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N15969, collided with desert terrain near Phelan, California. The airplane was operated by Midfield Aviation, and rented by the student pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed the Apple Valley Airport (APV), Apple Valley, California, at an undetermined time. The flight was scheduled to terminate at APV. According to personnel at the flight school, the student pilot had rented the airplane for two flights, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. They stated that the morning flight was to practice maneuvers in preparation for his private pilot check ride. Flight school personnel did not know what the afternoon flight was for. According to witnesses on the ground who were 1/4 mile southwest of the accident site, the airplane was about 500 feet above the ground. Both witnesses heard a loud engine noise and looked towards the sky. They saw the accident airplane in a nose-down spiral. The witnesses did not see the airplane contact the ground due to high vegetation in the area. They called 911, and then went to see if they could help the pilot. The witness did not hear anything prior to the loud engine noise. First responders to the accident site noted that the pilot was secured in the seat by his seatbelt. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Admin
Probable cause
the student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering that lead to a stall spin and impact with flat desert terrain.
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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.
