# NTSB LAX04LA138: Piper PA-34-200, N55073, Hollister, CA, February 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 12, 2004, 17:20 local (Feb 13, 2004, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.893333, -121.410278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8933&lon=-121.4103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58833 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58833/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA138 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. ## 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 - emergency procedure - simulated - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - sign ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway during landing and collided with a runway sign. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were practicing a simulated single engine approach. The student lost directional control of the airplane after touchdown. The CFI elected to do a go-around. Just after adding power for the go-around, the airplane veered off of the runway and the right flap assembly impacted a runway sign. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported. ## Factual narrative On February 12, 2004, about 1720 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N55073, veered off the runway during landing and collided with a runway sign at the Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, California. American School of Aviation, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the Reid-Hillview Airport, San Jose, California, at 1700, for the local area training flight. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the airplane veered off of the runway during landing. The airplane then collided with a runway sign and the right flap was torn from its attachments, resulting in damage to the wing spar and ribs. In a written statement, the operator reported that the CFI and student were practicing a simulated single-engine approach. The student pilot lost directional control of the airplane after touchdown. The CFI elected to do a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane veered off of the runway and the right flap assembly impacted a runway sign. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55073](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55073-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 34-7350169, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7350169 - Airframe hours: 7200 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American School of Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: RSM Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2003, 92 hours before - Departed: RHV, Reid-Hillview, CA - Destination: 307, Hollister, CA - Airport: 307, Hollister, runway 31, 6,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 31, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 1,300 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 25, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 8 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: SNS, 17 nm away ## Other investigations on N55073 (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD76AI056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76AI056), Feb 3, 1976: Piper PA-34 (N55073), Greeneville, TN, substantial damage 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.