Accident Piper PA-28R-180 N7594J, Saturday 28 October 1989

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Date:	Saturday 28 October 1989
Time:	11:20 LT
Type:	Piper PA-28R-180
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N7594J
MSN:	2830990
Engine model:	Lycoming IO-360-BIE
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Bishop, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Long Beach, CA (KLGB)
Destination airport:	Bishop, CA
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT WAS MAKING SEVERAL 360 DEGREE TURNS OVER A CAMPSITE AT 6500 FEET MSL AND 1300 FEET AGL. DURING ONE OF THESE TURNS THE AIRCRAFT LOST ALTITUDE AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. THE WIND WAS GUSTING 25 KNOTS.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S NEGLECT IN FAILURE TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE WAS AVAILABLE TO PASS THE PARKED REFUELING VEHICLE. THE REFUELING VEHICLE PARKING POSITION ON AN ACTIVE TAXIWAY WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

Accident investigation: