# NTSB LAX79FUQ18: Piper PA-28, N44590, Van Nuys, CA, February 14, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 14, 1979
- Place: Van Nuys, CA · VAN NUYS, CA
- Location: 34.1867° N, 118.4490° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Van Nuys, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1867&lon=-118.4490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 22, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FUQ18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUQ18

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0197  79/2/14    VAN NUYS,CA         PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 24, 33 TOTAL
        TIME - 1730                    N44590              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VAN NUYS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VAN NUYS,CA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: PARKED AIRCRAFT                           STATIC: STARTING ENGINE(S)
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURES
        REMARKS- PIPER ARROW,N1164X,SUB DMG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44590](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44590), registered now, S/N 28-7425429, built 1974 (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: Van Nuys

## 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 19790214002969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790214002969A), Feb 14, 1979: Piper PA28140, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to assure seat was locked. Started engine,seat slid back. Pilot was unable reach controls. Hit parked acft.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
