# NTSB GAA17CA035: Piper PA 28, N5541F, Fresno, CA, October 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 19, 2016, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.771667, -119.708335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7717&lon=-119.7083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94265 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94265/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94265 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA035 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during departure due to being distracted by looking for his phone. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 991 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 227 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,530 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,332 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew to a tower-controlled airport to practice simulated engine failure approaches and landings. During departure following his fifth approach, he wanted to know what time it was and began looking for his phone, including reaching behind the seat to find it. He further reported that he must have been pulling back on the yoke while searching, and when he looked forward, the airplane was in a right yaw. He reported that he did not remember anything after that but believed that the airplane aerodynamically stalled and subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he flew to a tower-controlled airport to practice simulated engine failure approach and landings. During departure following his fifth approach, he wanted to know what time it was and began looking for his phone, including reaching behind the seat to find it. He further reported that he must have been pulling back on the yoke while searching and when he looked forward, the airplane was in a right yaw. He reported that he does not remember anything after that, but believed that the airplane aerodynamically stalled and subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5541F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5541F-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 28-25239, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25239 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 6500 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2015 - Departed: FAT, Fresno, CA - Destination: FAT, Fresno, CA - Airport: FAT, Fresno Yosemite Intl, runway 29L, 8,008 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 1,441 total, 608 in this make and model, 1,317 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KFAT, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20161019020499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161019020499A), Oct 19, 2016: Piper PA-28-140, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Airman was practicing takeoffs and landings at kfat ( Fresno Yosemite intl airport) on his last landing the aircraft was observed to level off at about 5-10… ## Other investigations on N5541F (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX72FUQ79](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUQ79), Apr 17, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N5541F), Quartz Hill, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94265. 571 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40449082&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.