Aircraft Impact Following Structural Failure in Mountainous Terrain

Casualties unknown • Warner Springs, CA, US

An aircraft impacted terrain after the horizontal stabilator and left wing separated during a descending right turn while encountering severe weather conditions.

What happened

The aircraft impacted terrain following an uncontrolled descent. During the flight, the airplane was executing a descending right turn on the downwind side of a mountain when the horizontal stabilator and the left wing separated from the airframe.

Prior to takeoff, the pilot had received a full preflight weather briefing, which was subsequently updated with an abbreviated briefing. These briefings contained forecasts for moderate to severe turbulence and icing along the intended route of flight. While en route, the pilot encountered icing conditions and requested a lower altitude. During the flight, the pilot also received pilot reports indicating that icing conditions were being encountered near the destination area.

Findings

A Safety Board weather study determined that atmospheric conditions were conducive to the development of clouds, turbulence, wind shear, icing, and mountain wave activity. Notably, the aircraft was not equipped with anti-icing or deicing equipment to mitigate the encountered icing conditions.

Probable cause

The separation of the horizontal stabilator and left wing during a descending turn while encountering weather conditions conducive to icing and turbulence.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-04-04 Piper PA-32R-301 accident near Warner Springs, CA?

An aircraft impacted terrain after the horizontal stabilator and left wing separated during a descending right turn while encountering severe weather conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-04-04 involved a Piper PA-32R-301, registration N9254Q, at Warner Springs, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The separation of the horizontal stabilator and left wing during a descending turn while encountering weather conditions conducive to icing and turbulence.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001205X00486. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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