N22LV

On May 20, 1987 at 02:55 AM, N22LV experienced a crash involving Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, operated by Las Vegas Airlines, with the event recorded near North Las Vegas Nevada.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

1 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. A mechanic, who was not rated as a pilot, took the aircraft without permission and elected to takeoff at night. A witness saw the aircraft departing at about 0250 pdt. Subsequently, it crashed approximately 3 miles east-northeast of the airport in an open undeveloped area. The time of the accident was not determined, but a clock in the wreckage had stopped at 0355. There was evidence the aircraft had impacted in a nose down, inverted attitude while on a north-northeast heading. The aircraft moved only 28 feet after impact and came to rest inverted with the gear extended and the flaps retracted. No preimpact mechanical problem was found. Toxicology tests showed the pilot had a blood/alcohol level of 3,7‰ and a vitreous/alcohol level of 3,3‰. No record was found to indicate that he had engaged in any previous formal flight training. There was evidence the pilot had been under recent stress. A friend reported the pilot and his wife were 'breaking up.' The pilot's wife reported he had a drinking problem which was the reason for their separation.

Aircraft reference details include registration N22LV, MSN 31-7752066, year of manufacture 1977.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 36.2005°, -115.1215°.