# NTSB LAX82DA158: Piper PA-28-161, N29500, North Las Vegas, NV, May 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1982, 13:07 local (20:07 UTC)
- Place: North Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.210475, -115.120109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2105&lon=-115.1201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA158

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE INSTRUCTOR WAS DEMONSTRATING A SHORT FIELD LANDING USING THE MINIMUM LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. ON FINAL THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DIRT BANK SEPARATING THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THERE WERE NO MARKINGS ON THE BERM AND THE EARTH BLENDED IN WITH THE SURROUNDINGS. HE ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAD PERFORMED SEVERAL TOUCH AND GO'S IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29500 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916435
- Airframe hours: 1192
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Steve'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Steve'S Flying Service
- Departed: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas, runway 12, 3,125 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,361 total, 133 in this make and model, 1,240 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 153 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 8 nm away

## 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 19820504013869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820504013869A), May 4, 1982: Piper PA28161, North Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Struck ridge on approach end of runway on landing. Impact severed right main gear. Landed on runway.

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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