# NTSB LAX83LA272: Piper PA-38-112, N2334V, Temecula, CA, June 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Temecula, CA
- Location: 33.4936° N, 117.1484° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Temecula, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4936&lon=-117.1484&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): 23742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA272

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - other airport/runway maintenance - improper, airport personnel (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT IN PREPARATION FOR THE STUDENT'S 1ST SOLO FLT. AFTER RETURNING FROM FLT IN THE LOCAL AREA, THEY ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND ON RWY 12. DURING A FINAL APCH TO LAND, THE STUDENT FLEW THE ACFT TO CROSS OVER THE THRESHOLD AT ABOUT 3 FT AGL & LAND ABOUT 200 FT DOWN THE RWY. AS THE ACFT WAS CROSSING THE THRESHOLD, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUCK THE TOP 1 FT OF A MOUND OF DIRT. THE GEAR FAILED. DURING THE LANDING THE ACFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE CFI REPORTED THAT DURING DEPARTURE, THEY MADE AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF, AND THUS, DID NOT OBSERVE THE MOUND OF DIRT ADJACENT TO THE END OF THE RWY. THE CFI ALSO SAID THE MOUND WAS THE SAME COLOR AS THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN & WAS VIRTUALLY INDISTINGUISHABLE. MOUNDS OF DIRT HAD BEEN PLACED AROUND THE APCH END OF RWY 12 IN PREPARATION OF REPAIRS. THE MOUNDS WERE ABOUT 4 FT TALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2334V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2334V-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 38-82A0052, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-82A0052
- Airframe hours: 59
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Airmech, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hugh D. And Bonnie B. Lentz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1983, 45 hours before
- Airport: 2LO, Rancho California, runway 12, 3,465 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,020 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830604022649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604022649A), Jun 4, 1983: Piper PA38112, Temecula, CA, Substantial damage. Landing gear severed on a dirt pile on edge of threshold during landing. Aircraft stopped off side of 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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