# NTSB LAX02LA129: Piper PA28R-200, N5060T, Redlands, CA, March 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 2002, 16:00 local (Mar 20, 2002, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Redlands, CA - Coordinates: 33.999187, -117.120735 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9992&lon=-117.1207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54478 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54478/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54478 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA129 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to compensate for the wind condtions when he encountered an updraft followed by a downdraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane made a hard landing resulting in damage to a wing rib. The pilot was preparing for a certified flight instructor check ride. On the fifth landing, the pilot encountered a strong updraft about 15 feet above ground level (agl), and pulled power. This was immediately followed by a downdraft. The airplane touched down hard on the right main landing gear. The pilot completed two more landings and returned to Palm Springs. A follow-up maintenance examination discovered damage to a wing rib. The Safety Board was informed of the accident on April 8, 2002. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2002, about 1600 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA28R-200, N5060T, made a hard landing at Redlands, California. The Flight School at Palm Springs was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one pilot rated passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight departed Palm Springs, California, about 1500, en route to Redlands, and returned to Palm Springs. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The operator stated that the pilot was preparing for a certified flight instructor check ride. The pilot flew to Redlands to practice landings. On the fifth landing, the pilot encountered a strong updraft about 15 feet above ground level (agl), and pulled power. This was immediately followed by a downdraft. The airplane touched down hard on the right main landing gear. The pilot completed two more landings and returned to Palm Springs. A follow-up maintenance examination discovered damage to a wing rib. The Safety Board was informed of the accident on April 8, 2002. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5060T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5060T), registered now, S/N 28R-7235187, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7235187 - Airframe hours: 4313 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: The Flight School At Palm Springs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 16, 2002, 49 hours before - Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA - Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA - Airport: L12, Redlands Municipal, runway 8, 4,505 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 22, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 315 total, 75 in this make and model, 256 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 340 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: RAL, 17 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 20020319006379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020319006379A), Mar 19, 2002: Piper PA28R200, Redlands, CA, No damage. (.19) On March 19, 2002, about 1600 pacific standard time, a Piper PA28R-200, N5060T, made a hard landing at Redlands, California. The flight school at palm… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54478. 306 KB in all. - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 1, .PDF, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394870&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.