# NTSB LAX72DUG49: Piper PA-28, N5906W, Thermal, CA, January 10, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 10, 1972
- Place: Thermal, CA · THERMAL, CA
- Location: 33.6262° N, 116.1308° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Thermal, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6262&lon=-116.1308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX72DUG49
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUG49

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0191  72/1/10    THERMAL,CALIF       PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 0930                    N5906W              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      37, 8130 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            2500 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PALM SPRINGS,CALIF          LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OIL EXHAUSTION-ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- OIL EXHSTN,CAUSE NOT DTRMD.LNDD IN DESERT,HIT DITCH,ACFT NSD OVR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5906W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5906W), registered now, S/N 28-2814, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150) (registry code 7102804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N5906W (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 LAX06CA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA138), Mar 26, 2006: Piper PA-28-180 (N5906W), Paso Robles, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control.

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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