# NTSB LAX80DVA53: Piper PA-28, N44974, Bakersfield, CA, July 11, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 11, 1980
- Place: Bakersfield, CA · BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Location: 35.3733° N, 119.0187° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bakersfield, CA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3733&lon=-119.0187&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DVA53
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DVA53

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1439  80/7/11    BAKERSFIELD,CA      PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 63, 66 TOTAL
        TIME - 0955                    N44974              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, 43 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MEADOWS FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BAKERSFIELD,CA              HANFORD,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAXI: TO TAKEOFF
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   TAXI: TO TAKEOFF
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF BRAKES AND/OR FLIGHT CONTROLS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44974](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44974), registered now, S/N 28-7816051, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (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: Meadows Field

## 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 19800711025329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800711025329A), Jul 11, 1980: Piper PA28161, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot taxiing for takeoff lost control and crashed into ditch off side of taxiway.

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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