# NTSB LAX07CA271: Piper PA-28-140, N1237H, Santa Paula, CA, September 9, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 9, 2007, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Paula, CA - Coordinates: 34.346942, -119.061111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3469&lon=-119.0611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66643 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66643/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA271 ## Probable cause The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate recovery from the bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - fence - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to the destination runway. While on approach, the pilot noted the airplane was excessively high, moving at a faster-than-normal airspeed. He attributed the unstabalized approach to be the result of a short downwind leg. The airplane landed hard and bounced. It subsequently veered off the runway surface and collided with a fence, coming to rest on a dirt berm. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative In a written report, the pilot stated that while en route, he noticed his GPS was inoperative and decided to divert to a nearby airport. As he approached the vicinity of the airport, he noted that other traffic was utilizing runway 22, and accordingly entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg. While on the approach, the pilot could discern that the airplane was excessively high and at a faster-than-normal airspeed, which he believed was a result of his decision to make a short downwind leg. The airplane landed hard and bounced twice, veering off the runway surface. It continued forward and collided with a fence, coming to rest upright on a dirt berm. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including the damage to a wing that would require a major repair. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1237H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1237H), registered now, S/N 28-7725137, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7725137 - Airframe hours: 1874 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007 - Departed: POC, La Verne, CA - Destination: L52, Oceano, CA - Airport: SZP, Santa Paula Airport, runway 22, 2,665 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,333 total, 86 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KCMA ## 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 20070909018649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070909018649A), Sep 9, 2007: Piper PA28140, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot ran off the end of rwy 22 at Santa Paula Airport after a high and fast approach with the landing flaps retracted. The aircraft hit the fence at… 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.