# NTSB LAX83LA230: Piper PA-28-161, N2115R, Maxwell, CA, May 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1983, 18:10 local (May 15, 1983, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Maxwell, CA
- Coordinates: 39.309089, -122.169937 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3091&lon=-122.1699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED MUSTARD GRASS ALONGSIDE THE AIRSTRIP AND SWERVED OFF TO THE RIGHT COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TOUCHED DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 55 FT WIDE STRIP. IN SPITE OF THIS SOMEHOW HIS RIGHT WING TIP CAUGHT IN THE HIGH MUSTARD WEEDS AND THE ACFT WENT INTO A SIDEWAYS SKID. THENOSE GEAR HIT A SMALL EMBANKMENT AND COLLAPSED. THE PROPELLER WAS BENT AND THE COWLING DAMAGED. THE ACTIVE RUNWAY WAS 36AND THE WIND WAS FROM 320 DEGREES AT 11 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2115R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2115R-2007-08-20), registration cancelled 2007-08-20, S/N 28-7916287, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- 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
- Serial number: 28-7916287
- Airframe hours: 1701
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Hisaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: 008, COLUSA, CA
- Airport: Bell Strip, runway 36, 3,000 × 55 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 375 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 85 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 52 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 19830514022189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830514022189A), May 14, 1983: Piper PA28161, Maxwell, CA, Substantial damage. Struck tall mustard grass landing on a private strip. Veered off runway and collpased the nose gear.

## Other investigations on N2115R (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX06LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA251), Jul 23, 2006: Piper PA-28-161 (N2115R), Grass Valley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of available engine power due to vapor lock. A contributing factor was the high temperature.

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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