# NTSB LAX04FA207: Piper PA-44-180, N4144C, Wittmann, AZ, May 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2004, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Wittmann, AZ - Coordinates: 33.790832, -112.483055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7908&lon=-112.4831&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Piper Aircraft Corporation, Textron Lycoming - NTSB case key (mKey): 59211 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04FA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59211/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=59211 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA207 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall/spin while maneuvering the airplane with a dual student. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain in a spin following an in-flight loss of control. The multiengine instructional flight departed to the west practice area. Radar data indicated that the crew climbed to 6,000 feet, but didn't maintain that altitude. The altitude varied (climbing and descending) about 500 feet for the next several minutes. About 20 miles west-northwest of the airport, they began a figure-eight type of track, and then went into a descending 360-degree turn before the last radar contact. The last radar return was just abeam the main wreckage area at a mode C transponder reported altitude of 3,900 feet. A witness saw the airplane spinning as it headed toward the ground in a nose low attitude. The preceding target was 18 seconds earlier at a mode C altitude of 5,200 feet. Investigators established control continuity, and noted no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or either engine. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 13, 2004, about 0700 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N4144C, collided with terrain under unknown circumstances near Whittman, Arizona. Westwind Aviation, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI), the private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. The local instructional flight departed Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, about 0645. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 47.453 minutes north latitude and 112 degrees 28.997 minutes west longitude. A National Transportation Safety Board specialist plotted recorded radar data. A target appeared just north of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport around 0645 climbing out of 4,400 feet. The track made a climbing left turn, and headed in a westerly direction. It climbed to 6,000 feet, but didn't maintain that altitude. The altitude varied (climbing and descending) about 500 feet for the next several minutes. About 20 miles west-northwest of the airport, the target began a figure-eight type of track, and then went into a descending 360-degree turn before the last radar contact. The last radar return was at 0706:53 just abeam the main wreckage area at a mode C reported altitude of 3,900 feet. The preceding target was 18 seconds earlier at a mode C altitude of 5,200 feet. A witness saw the airplane spinning as it headed toward the ground in a nose low attitude. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). CFI A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the CFI held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. The pilot had a CFI certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He had a first-class medical issued on June 18, 2002. The operator reported that the CFI had about 480 hours total flight time, and 173 hours as a flight instructor. He had about 76 hours in multiengine airplanes, and all of them were in this make and model. He had about 10 hours in the last 30 days. PUI A review of FAA airman records revealed that the PUI held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. He had a second-class medical certificate issued on March 15, 2003, which had no limitations or waivers. The operator reported that the PUI had 230 hours total flight time. He logged about 60 hours in the last 90 days, and 25 in the last 30 days. He had about 21 hours in this make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a Piper PA-44-180, serial number 4496020. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed a total airframe time of 3,643 hours at the last annual inspection. The logbooks had an entry for an annual inspection dated May 11, 2004. The Hobbs hour meter read 3,643.7 at the last inspection. The Hobbs hour meter read 3,647.3 at the accident site. The left engine was a Textron Lycoming O-360-A1H6, serial number L-25704-36A. Engine total time recorded at the last annual inspection was 3,825 hours, and time since major overhaul was 1,522 hours. The right engine was a Textron Lycoming LO-360-A1H6, serial number L-600-71A. Engine total time recorded at the last annual inspection was 3,643 hours, and time since major overhaul was 2,609 hours. Fueling records at Deer Valley established that the airplane was last fueled on May 13 with the addition of 50.0 gallons of 100-octane aviation fuel. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Investigators from the Safety Board, the FAA, Piper, and Textron Lycoming examined the wreckage at the accident scene. The airplane came to rest in rough desert terrain. The first identified points of contact (FIPC) were 2 ground scars about 7 feet apart. The larger ground scar was about 1-foot wide, 3-feet long, and 6-inches deep. The orientation of these scars was 154/334 degrees. The second scar was about 1-foot in diameter. The pilot's operating handbook for the airplane indicated that the distance from the center of the propeller to the nose gear was about 6.5 feet. The debris path from the center of the FIPC to the center of the cockpit was along 280 degrees. The center of the cockpit came to rest about 40 feet from the FIPC. The orientation of the fuselage was 114 degrees. The engines and forward part of fuselage were on a 45-degree slope that was about 20 feet long. The aft cabin and empennage were in a gravel road oriented 180/360 degrees. The trailing edge of the left wing lay against the base of a tree. None of the branches on the tree appeared to have been disturbed. Shrubs between the fuselage and the FIPC had broken branches. The left wing tip fairing, with the red lens cap in place, separated and was 70 feet north of the FIPC. The right wing tip fairing separated, and was about 10 feet from the outboard edge of the right wing. The navigation light was still in its fixture, but only fragments of green lens remained in the fixture. The wings and fuselage exhibited vertical crush damage. The nose section exhibited vertical and some aft crush damage. The cabin roof fractured along the forward edge of the cabin area and bent aft. The crush angle was 15-20 degrees. The right side of the horizontal stabilator was undamaged. The outboard third of the left horizontal stabilator buckled along the trailing edge. The portion of the trim tab on the left side bent up. Both the horizontal stabilator and trim tab sustained upward crush damage, and exhibited scrape marks in a concave, circular pattern. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were undamaged. All control surfaces remained with the main wreckage. The outboard left aileron hinge was the only control surface separation point. Its hinge was bent outboard, and the bolt hole where it attached was oblong. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Maricopa County Coroner completed an autopsy. The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of specimens of the pilots. Analysis of the specimens contained no findings for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, or tested drugs. TESTS AND RESEARCH The FAA, New Piper Aircraft Corporation, and Textron Lycoming were parties to the investigation. Investigators examined the wreckage at Air Transport, Phoenix, Arizona, on May 14, 2004. Right Propeller One blade of the propeller appeared undamaged. The other blade exhibited leading edge gouges. Right Engine Investigators kept the right engine on the airframe, and removed the top spark plugs. All spark plugs were clean with no mechanical deformation. The spark plug electrodes were gray, which corresponded to normal operation according to the Champion Aviation Check-A-Plug AV-27 Chart. A borescope inspection revealed no mechanical deformation on the valves, cylinder walls, or internal cylinder head. Investigators manually rotated the engine with the propeller. The engine rotated freely, and the valves moved approximately the same amount of lift in firing order. The gears in the accessory case turned freely. Investigators obtained thumb compression on all cylinders in firing order. Investigators manually rotated the magnetos, and both magnetos produced spark at all posts. The vacuum pump drive gear remained unbroken, and the vacuum pump turned freely. The oil filter was clean. The engine driven fuel pump's rubber diaphragm was unbroken. A blue fluid that smelled like aviation fuel drained from the pump after removal. The carburetor sustained mechanical damage near the throat; however, the butterfly valve moved freely. After ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4144C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4144C-2006-08-30), registration cancelled 2006-08-30, S/N 4496020, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (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: 4496020 - Airframe hours: 3543 - Engines: Lycoming LO-360-A146 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming O-360-A146 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Westwind Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2004, 3 hours before - Departed: DVT, Phoenix, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 20; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review December 1, 2003; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 480 total, 76 in this make and model, 10 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 235 total, 21 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: DVT, 19 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 20040513009809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040513009809A), May 13, 2004: Piper PA44180, Wittmann, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. (-23) On may 13, 2004, at approx 0730 hrs MST, a Piper PA-44-180 aircraft, operating under an instructional part 91 flight, was destroyed during collision with… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=59211. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 2, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF - Photo 1: First Identified Point of Contact (item 3, .PDF, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20First%20Identified%20Point%20of%20Contact-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Right Side of Main Wreckage (item 4, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Right%20Side%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Aft End of Main Wreckage (item 5, .PDF, 411 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Aft%20End%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 4: Right Engine and Prop (item 6, .PDF, 410 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Right%20Engine%20and%20Prop-Master.PDF - Photo 5: Left Engine Prop A (item 7, .PDF, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%3A%20Left%20Engine%20Prop%20A-Master.PDF - Photo 6: Left Prop B (item 8, .PDF, 348 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%3A%20Left%20Prop%20B-Master.PDF - Radar Track Video (AVI File) (item 9, .PDF, 8 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Radar%20Track%20Video%20(AVI%20File)-Master.PDF - Radar Plot (item 10, .PDF, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Radar%20Plot-Master.PDF - Flight School Interviews (item 11, .PDF, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20School%20Interviews-Master.PDF - Toxicological Reports (item 12, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Reports-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 13, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40280810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-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.