# NTSB LAX04LA021: Piper PA-28-235, N9338W, Mesa, AZ, October 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 2003, 16:18 local (23:18 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.460834, -111.728332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4608&lon=-111.7283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58217/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA021 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Also causal, was the pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to secure the right side of the engine cowling prior to departure. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - cooling system,cowling - not secured (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane stalled and collided with the ground during an attempted return to runway maneuver. During the initial climb from runway 22R the pilot reported to the tower that he had a loose panel and he needed to return to the airport. A witness reported that the airplane departed with an open cowling. After lifting from the runway, the airplane turned left and then stalled. The witness lost visual contact with the airplane when it descended below a tree line. The airplane collided with terrain about 250 yards southwest of runway 4L. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the attachment fittings for the cowling on the right side were unlatched and not damaged. The left attachment fittings for the cowling were latched and deformed. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 2003, at 1618 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N9338W, collided with the ground while attempting to return to the Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. The airplane was being operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and passenger both sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal local flight was originating at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from runway 22R. During the initial climb, the pilot reported a loose panel and tried to return to the airport. The airplane collided with terrain about 250 yards southwest of runway 4L. A witness reported that the airplane departed with an open cowling. After lifting from the runway, the airplane turned left and then stalled. The witness lost visual contact with the airplane when it descended below a tree line. Post accident examination of the airplane by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the attachment fittings for the cowling on the right side were unlatched and not damaged. The left attachment fittings for the cowling were latched and deformed. The IIC made repeated requests for the pilot to complete NTSB Form 6120.1/2 but no reply was received. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9338W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9338W-2004-01-20), registration cancelled 2004-01-20, S/N 28-11023, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-11023 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: G. Scott Crosby - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 4L, 3,801 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 5 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KFFZ ## 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 20031020028569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031020028569A), Oct 20, 2003: Piper PA28235, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed ffz on a local VFR flight. Shortly after takeoff the right hand side cowling unlatched. The pilot reduced power and began a 180 turn back… 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.