# NTSB LAX83LA368: Piper PA-28RT, N2510U, Novato, CA, July 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1983, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Coordinates: 38.099193, -122.630851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0992&lon=-122.6309&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): 23808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA368
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA368

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LEFT THE RWY DURING LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT. THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. THE TOWER HAD ADVISED HIM THAT RWY 13 WAS IN USE AND THERE WAS RIGHT CROSSWIND. DURING THE 3RD LANDING AS THE PLT WAS RAISING THE FLAPS HE ALSO APPLIED THE BRAKES. CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE PLT HAD REPORTEDLY USED FULL FLAPS AND AN APPROACH SPEED OF 80 KTS DURING THIS LANDING. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 10 KTS. THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 12 KTS. THE BRAKES WERE EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND FOUND TO BE NORMAL WITH PADS ALMOST NEW IN APPEARANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2510U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2510U-1988-03-18), registration cancelled 1988-03-18, S/N 28R7931270 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7931270
- Airframe hours: 1268
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB1 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Golden Bear Aviation
- Registered owner: Geist, Richard E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1983, 12 hours before
- Airport: 056, Gnoss Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 128 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19830730041479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830730041479A), Jul 30, 1983: Piper PA28RT201T, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. After landing and during raising the flaps pilot inadvertently applied brakes causing loss of directional control.

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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