# NTSB LAX04CA217: Piper PA-34-200T, N5361R, Livermore, CA, May 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2004, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.693332, -121.820274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6933&lon=-121.8203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59265 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59265/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA217 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The airplane veered to the left off the runway during the landing roll and collided with terrain. The pilot applied right rudder in an effort to counteract the veer, but the airplane continued to the left, off the runway surface. The airplane impacted a drainage pipe and embankment, despite the pilot's attempted corrections. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 2004, about 1050 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N5361R, veered off the runway during the landing roll at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. Primavera Aviation LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Stockton, California, about 1030, with a planned destination of Livermore. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the day prior to the accident, the airplane experienced a transient nose landing gear malfunction, in which the gear would not lower. He engaged the override system and cycled the landing gear, with no abnormalities. The landing gear malfunction could not be replicated, and the pilot landed without incident. The pilot further stated that the purpose of the accident flight was to return the airplane to Livermore (the airplane's home base), and have a mechanic look at the landing gear. The pilot completed a normal approach, and the airplane touched down on runway 25L without incident. While on the landing roll, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The pilot applied right rudder in an effort to counteract the veer, but the airplane continued to the left, off the runway surface. The airplane continued toward a drainage pipe and embankment, and the pilot applied brake pressure and left rudder. The airplane was unresponsive. The drainage pipe severed the right main gear and the right propeller blade struck the ground. The airplane also incurred damage to the right wing tip, aileron, and flap. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The winds reported by the Livermore Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at 1053 were 220 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5361R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5361R), registered now, S/N 3449271 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3449271 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360 reciprocating; Continental TSIO-360 Seri reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Primavera Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SCK, Stockton, CA - Destination: LVK, Livermore, CA - Airport: LVK, Livermore Municipal Airport, runway 25L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 113 total, 113 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: LVK ## 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 20040520012279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040520012279A), May 20, 2004: Piper PA34220T, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon landing on lvk runway 25L, pilot lost control of the aircraft. Aircraft departed the runway to the left about midfield. At the intersection taxiway… 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.