# NTSB LAX02LA046: Piper PA-28-180, N7844W, La Verne, CA, December 11, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 11, 2001, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: La Verne, CA - Coordinates: 34.091667, -117.781944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0917&lon=-117.7819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: WP-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53920 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53920/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA046 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control following his misjudged landing flare and hard touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - runway light - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 26L and everything was normal. On short final approach the airplane was initially aligned with the runway centerline, the airspeed was 85 miles per hour, and the wing flaps were at the 25-degree extended position. During the landing flare, about 2 feet above ground level, the airplane yawed left. As the pilot attempted to regain directional control, the airplane stalled and touched down hard. Thereafter, it veered off the left side of the runway and collided with lights before coming to a stop about 100 feet left of the runway's edge. About the time of the mishap, a 30-degree, 7-knot crosswind existed. No gusts were reported. ## Factual narrative On December 11, 2001, about 1240 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7844W, collided with a runway light and impacted a sign during landing rollout at the Brackett Field, La Verne, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot, who owned the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was being operated on a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Chino, California, about 1212. The pilot reported that he entered the traffic pattern for landing on runway 26L and everything was normal. The airplane's airspeed was 85 miles per hour, and 25 degrees of flaps were extended. On short final approach he was lined up with the runway. During the landing flare, about 2 feet above ground level, the airplane veered left of centerline. The pilot further indicated that as he started to correct the airplane's left yaw, the airplane "slammed to the ground." Then, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and collided with runway lights. The pilot also reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure precipitated the accident. The airport manager reported that, based upon his observations of the marks on the runway, the airplane touched down while yawed to the left, about 1/3 of the way down the runway. Skid marks, corresponding to the airplane's three tires, were noted leading off the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest about 100 feet left of the runway's edge. At 1247 the airport reported its weather was, in part, 20 miles visibility, and few clouds at 9,000 feet. The wind was from 230 degrees at 7 knots. No gusts were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7844W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7844W), registered now, S/N 28-1861 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-1861 - Airframe hours: 4150 - Engines: Lycoming O-360A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Franklin C. Manthorne - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2001, 26 hours before - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Destination: POC, La Verne, CA - Airport: POC, Brackett Field, runway 26L, 4,839 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 305 total, 95 in this make and model, 305 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: POC ## 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 20011211036239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011211036239A), Dec 11, 2001: Piper PA28180, La Verne, CA, No damage. (-23) While landing on runway 26 left at Brackett field, the pilot attempted to correct for lateral drift in the flare and subsequently lost directional… 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.