# NTSB LAX72FUQ79: Piper PA-28, N5541F, Quartz Hill, CA, April 17, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 17, 1972
- Place: Quartz Hill, CA · QUARTZ HILL, CA
- Location: 34.6520° N, 118.2159° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Quartz Hill, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6520&lon=-118.2159&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 11, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX72FUQ79
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUQ79

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0398  72/4/17    QUARTZ HILL,CALIF   PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 670
        TIME - 0625                    N5541F              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 50 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - QUARTZ HILL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          QUARTZ HILL,CALIF           LAS VEGAS,NEV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        REMARKS- ACFT ABOUT 130 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WT. HIT A LARGE JOSHUA TREE PRIOR GND IMPACT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5541F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5541F-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 28-25239, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (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
- Airport: Quartz Hill

## Other investigations on N5541F (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 GAA17CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA035), Oct 19, 2016: Piper PA 28 (N5541F), Fresno, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during departure due to being distracted by looking for his phone.

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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