Piper PA-28 accident near Thermal, California, December 25, 1998
On December 25, 1998 at about 9:44 pm local time, a Piper PA-28, registered N7776W, was destroyed in an accident near Thermal, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The occurrence of an in-flight incapacitating heart rhythm to the pilot. A factor was the pilot's ingestion of over-the-counter medications that made him more susceptible to an abnormal heart rhythm.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 25, 1998 · about 9:44 pm local time
- Place
- Thermal, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28 · all PA-28s on the register
- Registration
- N7776W · registry record · serial 28-1780
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On a cross-country flight the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent, impacted a lake, and sank. The wreckage was not recovered; however, both occupants were eventually recovered from the lake over a 2-month period. Review of recorded radar data identified the aircraft as it departed and flew to a point over the lake. About 1343, the target started a high vertical rate descent from 6,500 feet to 3,100 feet, where the mode C report stopped, in 1 minute 36 seconds. The recorded data lost the beacon code at this altitude but two primary targets remained. The last hit was at 1344. Its location was 33 degrees 28 minutes north latitude and 115 degrees 37.9 minutes west longitude over the northern end of the lake. The pilot did not have a pilot certificate or current medical certificate. The date of his most recent application for medical certificate, which was recalled by the FAA, was July 15, 1997. This application listed 800 hours to date and 100 hours in the last 6 months. Numerous medical certificate applications were denied by the FAA throughout the 1980's and early 1990's due to a history of heart problems. His medical records contained a history of heart problems. The autopsy report noted long term atherosclerotic disease in the right coronary artery and a blood clot in the right coronary artery that was several days old. The report noted limited injuries to the upper extremities. The pilot's wife was not a pilot. The autopsy report on the pilot's wife noted substantial upper and lower extremity injuries consistent with control manipulation at impact. The pilot's toxicology report showed Pseudoephedrine and Ephedrine in his tissue samples. Both can result in increased heart rate, constriction of blood vessels, and an increase in blood pressure. The effects could increase the risk of a heart attack in someone with significant coronary artery disease.
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
- Flight time: 800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (invalid medical for flight)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360A3A (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: L77 Chiriaco Summit CA at 9:33 pm
- Destination: RNM Ramona CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 22,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 pm from TRM, 15 miles away
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.