# NTSB LAX83LA394: Piper PA-28-161, N81287, San Jose, CA, August 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1983, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.679409, -121.749099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6794&lon=-121.7491&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): 23825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA394
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA394

## 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
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HER APCH FOR LANDING WAS HIGH & FAST, WHICH RESULTED IN A TOUCHDOWN ON THE MIDDLE 1/3 OF THE RWY. DURING THE ROLL-OUT, SHE APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, BUT THE ACFT SWERVED OFF THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT STRUCK A TREE, THEN CAME TO REST NEXT TO A STUMP & A RISE IN THE TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS CALM. APRX 25 MI WEST AT THE SAN JOSE MUNI ARPT, THE 1545 PDT WIND WAS FROM 320 DEG AT 9 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81287 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016154
- Airframe hours: 1699
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Country Club
- Registered owner: Nancy Rodgers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1983, 54 hours before
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: Rancho San Antonio, runway 9, 2,200 × 45 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,476 total, 73 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 25 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 19830817042959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830817042959A), Aug 17, 1983: Piper PA28161, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control after landing and struck a tree 260 feet from the 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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