# NTSB LAX76DUG39: Piper PA-28, N5660U, Desert Center, CA, March 15, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 15, 1976
- Place: Desert Center, CA · DESERT CENTER, CA
- Location: 33.7378° N, 115.3666° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Desert Center, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7378&lon=-115.3666&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 20, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX76DUG39
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DUG39

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0764  76/3/15    DESERT CENTER,CA    PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 20, 35 TOTAL
        TIME - 1300                    N5660U              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DESERT CENTER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BERMUDA DUNES,CA            DESERT CENTER,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PREVIOUS DAMAGE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT QUARTERING TAIL WIND 203-247 DEGREES
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          310                                                       12
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- GUSTING TO 15K. LND HARD,DMGD NOSE GR. PLT MADE GO ARND & RAN OFF RWY NEXT LDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5660U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5660U), registered now, S/N 28-26457, built 1969 (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: Desert Center

## 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 19760315007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760315007809A), Mar 15, 1976: Piper PA28140, Desert Center, CA, Substantial damage. Gusting to 15K. Lnd hard,dmgd nose gr. Plt made go arnd & ran off rwy next ldg.

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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