# NTSB LAX78FVA79: Piper PA-36, N57734, Delano, CA, August 30, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 30, 1978
- Place: Delano, CA · DELANO, CA
- Location: 35.7664° N, 119.2642° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Delano, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7664&lon=-119.2642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FVA79
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FVA79

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2437  78/8/30    DELANO,CA           PIPER PA-36         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 58, 11750
        TIME - 0900                    N57734              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 900 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DELANO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DELANO,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: PULLUP FROM SWATH RUN
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           SYSTEMS - FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS: ELEVATOR AND ELEVATOR TAB CONTROL SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
                                  PITCH CONTROL PROBLEM
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 9999                       KIND OF OPERATION - DUSTING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - GRAPES                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  325
        REMARKS- CONTROL STICK ROD END BEARING FROZE THEN MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED IN BENDING.LNDD WITH ELEV TRIM.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57734 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Delano

## 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 19780830025949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780830025949A), Aug 30, 1978: Piper PA36285, Delano,Ca, CA, Substantial damage. Control stick rod end bearing froze then mounting bracket failed in ending. Lndd with elev trim.

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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