1 fatal · Piper PA-28-236 · 1996-11-21 · LOST HILLS, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX97FA047
Event ID
20001208X07057
Type
Accident
Date
1996-11-21
Location
LOST HILLS, CA, USA
Coordinates
35.60992, -119.899391
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA-28-236
Registration
N8447B
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
NDRK
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control, and the pilot exceeding the aircraft's design stress limits during an attempted recovery. The noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, the weather conditions, and the dark night were factors.