# NTSB Accident LAX03FA069
> **Piper PA-23-250** · 2003-01-08 · FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** LAX03FA069
- **Event ID:** 20030117X00080
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2003-01-08
- **Location:** FLAGSTAFF, AZ, USA
- **Coordinates:** 35.305831, -111.618331
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 4
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 4
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA-23-250
- **Registration:** N135LA
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 2
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** IMC
## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to comply with his instrument clearance route instruction and to maintain his assigned altitude.  A factor in the accident was the poor quality of radio communications due to the severance of underground fiber optic voice and data lines for the ARTCC, which also affected inter and intra facility landline communications.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX03FA069) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*