# NTSB LAX83LA245: Piper PA24-250, N4347B, Elsinore, CA, May 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1983, 18:10 local (May 22, 1983, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Elsinore, CA
- Location: 33.6681° N, 117.3273° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Elsinore, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6681&lon=-117.3273&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23723/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA245

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND A DIRT BANK SHORT OF THE RWY DURING LANDING AND COLLAPSED THE LANDING GEAR. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A DIRT RWY BUT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE LAKE LOCATED AT THE DEPARTURE END. HE SAID HIS AIRSPEED WAS 70 KTS ON SHORT FINAL WITH FULL FLAPS AND RPM. THE MAIN GEAR TOUCHED DOWN ON A DIRT ROAD THAT CROSSED IN FRONT OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR TOWARD THE RWY. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT A DIRT RIDGE AT THE THRESHOLD AND SHEARED OFF. DURING THE LANDING ON THE RWY THE NOSE GEAR AND RIGHT MAIN RETRACTED INTO THEIR WHEEL WELLS. THE ACFT CAME TO REST 120 FT DOWN THE RWY WITH THE NOSE POINTING ABOUT 20 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTERLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4347B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA24-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-558
- Airframe hours: 2350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert Wilsey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1982, 70 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Airport: L49, Skylark, runway 23, 2,830 × 140 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 202 total, 62 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19830521059259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830521059259A), May 21, 1983: Piper PA24250, Lake Elsinore, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed aircraft to touch down short of runway shearing left landing gear off.

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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