# NTSB LAX08CA035: Piper PA-28-180, N44528, Fallbrook, CA, December 7, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 6, 2007, 17:00 local (Dec 7, 2007, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Fallbrook, CA
- Coordinates: 33.3525, -117.250556
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3525&lon=-117.2506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA035

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude that led to an undershoot and a failure to obtain the proper touchdown point.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - runway light
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

While on approach for landing, the airplane encountered a downdraft.  The pilot attempted to arrest the sink rate by applying full power; however, the airplane landed hard and short of the runway, damaging surrounding vegetation and a runway edge light.  After the hard landing the pilot was able to get the airplane airborne again and he decided to return to his home base airport.  During the flight back to his home airport the left wheel and strut fell from the airplane.

## Factual narrative

While on approach for landing, the airplane encountered a downdraft.  The pilot attempted to arrest the sink rate by applying full power; however, the airplane landed hard and short of runway 18, damaging surrounding vegetation and a runway edge light.  After the hard landing the pilot was able to get the airplane airborne again and he decided to return to his home base airport.  During the flight back to his home airport the left wheel and strut fell from the airplane.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the main gear attach points and the adjacent structure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44528](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44528), registered now, S/N 28-7405256, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7405256
- Airframe hours: 1868
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Coast Flyers
- Registered owner: Gary Reamer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007, 48 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Destination: Fallbrook, CA
- Airport: L18, Fallbrook Community Airpark, runway 18, 2,160 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; flight instructor, military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 3,428 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,112 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 14 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 20071206828889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071206828889A), Dec 6, 2007: Piper PA28180, Fallbrook, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was practicing short field touch and go landings at Fallbrook airport (L18), at approximately 1600 hours pacific…

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.

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