Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Mammoth Lakes, California, September 17, 1989
On September 17, 1989 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-300, registered N3929F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mammoth Lakes, California (Mammoth Lakes airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS THAT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GUSTY & CROSS-WINDS AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 1989 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mammoth Lakes, California · Mammoth Lakes · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300 · all PA-32R-300s on the register
- Registration
- N3929F · registry record · serial 32R-7680420
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE EXECUTED A NORMAL TAKEOFF FM RWY 27 & USED LEFT AILERON PRESSURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY & X-WIND CONDITION. AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS OVER 8200 FT. THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEG AT 35 KTS. THE PLT DID NOT INDICATE THAT HE USED HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE TAKEOFF TECHNIQUES OR THAT HE ADJUSTED HIS INITIAL RATE OF CLIMB AIRSPEED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, CLIMBED TO 20 FT AGL, ENCOUNTERED THE GUSTY WIND, AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE SIDE OF THE RWY.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 351 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 296 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: F70 Rancho Calif. CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 27, 7,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 25 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:57 pm from MMH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.