ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 35071
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| Date: | Sunday 22 December 1996 |
| Time: | 11:44 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-23-250 Aztec |
| Owner/operator: | Jay Arcemont |
| Registration: | N2377T |
| MSN: | 27-2274 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1963 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7559 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-A1B5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Lucerne Valley , CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Las Vegas, NV (KLAS) |
| Santa Ana, CA (KSNA) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot advised she was experiencing moderate to severe turbulence and was unable to maintain altitude. She requested the nearest airport and was given a heading and distance to Apple Valley. After she reported that her door popped open, radio and radar contact were lost. A witness reported that the aircraft was in level flight and then abruptly rolled to the right, pitched forward, and continued in a nose down attitude until it exploded into a towering, red fireball. The POH states that should the door open in flight, the pilot should slow the airspeed to reduce buffeting and then land at the nearest airport. It also states that should rough air be encountered, the pilot should slow the aircraft to maneuvering speed or slightly less, fly attitude, and avoid abrupt maneuvers. Weather forecasts were for moderate to severe turbulence, strong winds, scattered to broken clouds, and rain and icing conditions.
Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed after encountering turbulence, low level wind shear, and an open door.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX97FA070
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 08-Apr-2024 17:34 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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