# NTSB LAX02LA064: Piper PA-22-108, N4895Z, Tehachapi, CA, January 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 11, 2002, 13:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.135276, -118.43972 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1353&lon=-118.4397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54016/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54016 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA064 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering in an attempt to gain altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. The high density altitude was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane stalled and descended to the ground while maneuvering to gain altitude shortly after takeoff. According to a sheriff's deputy, who witnessed the accident, the airplane departed runway 29, and barely cleared power lines during the initial climb. The airplane performed two 360-degree turns south of the airport and stalled, impacting in a field about 4,200 msl. The airport is located at 3,993 feet msl. Post accident examination by an FAA inspector determined that the fuel tanks were full at the time of departure. The density altitude was calculated about 5,000 feet msl. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot's recommendation as to how the accident could have been prevented was taking off with less weight and at cooler temperatures. ## Factual narrative On January 11, 2002, at 1320 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-108, N4895Z, collided with the ground during the takeoff initial climb near Tehachapi, California. The personal flight was operated by the pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged; the private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated about 1310, and was destined for Scottsdale, Arizona. According to a sheriff's deputy, who witnessed the accident, the airplane departed runway 29, and barely cleared power lines during the initial climb. The airplane performed two 360-degree turns south of the airport and stalled, impacting in a field about 4,200 mean sea level (msl). The airport is located at 3,993 feet msl. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector determined that the fuel tanks were full at the time of departure. The density altitude was calculated about 5,000 feet msl. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot's recommendation as to how the accident could have been prevented was with less weight and cooler temperatures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4895Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4895Z-2003-12-15), registration cancelled 2003-12-15, S/N 22-8479, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-8479 - Airframe hours: 5700 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rex Coffman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2001, 60 hours before - Departed: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Destination: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Airport: TSP, Tehachapi Municipal, runway 29, 4,035 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 3, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 415 total, 220 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: mhv, 15 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 20020111000099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020111000099A), Jan 11, 2002: Piper PA22108, Tehachapi, CA, No damage. (.19) On January 11, 2002, at 1320 hours pacific standard time, a Piper PA22-108, N4895Z, collided with the ground in a field near Tehachapi, California,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54016. 347 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 347 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.