BIG PINE, CA, USA
N140RM
PIPER PA-28-140
THE PLT PLANNED A X-C FLIGHT FM RED BLUFF, CA, TO MESA, AZ, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE REFUELING STOP AT BISHOP, CA. AT BISHOP THE PLT TOPPED OFF THE FUEL TANKS & DEPARTED SOUTH DOWN THE OWENS VALLEY. A CFI OBSERVED THE ACFT'S DOWNWIND DEPARTURE & NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AT 100 FT/MIN. AFTER FLYING FOR SEVERAL MILES, THE PLT TURNED TOWARD AN AREA OF DECEPTIVELY SLOW RISING TERRAIN OF A MOUNTAIN PASS. THE PLT ENTERED THE PASS AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE ROAD'S ELEVATION INCREASED & ITS DIRECTION BEGAN SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH. THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED UPON COLLIDING WITH THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN, 150 FEET ABOVE THE HIGHWAY. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS OVER 9000 FT.
PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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