1 fatal · Piper PA-31-350 · 1998-03-06 · NOVATO, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX98FA106
Event ID
20001211X09697
Type
Accident
Date
1998-03-06
Location
NOVATO, CA, USA
Coordinates
38.099254, -122.629096
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA-31-350
Registration
N257NW
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DUSK
Weather
IMC
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance after initiating a descent over mountainous terrain at night and under marginal VFR conditions. The pilot's self-induced pressure to arrive at class with enough time remaining to take the final examination was a factor in the accident.