# NTSB LAX83LA399: Piper PA-28-R200, N4312X, Fresno, CA, August 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.840805, -119.819869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8408&lon=-119.8199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA399
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA399

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING THE FLARE FOR LANDING AND CAME TO REST NEAR THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE PLT STATED HE GOT TOO LOW DURING THE APPROACH DURING A CHECKOUT FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE PIC HAD OVER 400 HOURS OF SINGLE ENGINE TIME BUT NONE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. HE STATED THAT DURING THE APPROACH THE PREVIOUS OWNER IN THE RIGHT SEAT SAID THE APPROACH LOOKED OK TO HIM JUST BEFORE THE PLT ADDED POWER AND COLLIDED WITH THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4312X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-R200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7635008
- Airframe hours: 2203
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Allen Burson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1983, 12 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: Q60, Sierra Sky Park, runway 30, 2,920 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 1 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 7 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 19830820043209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830820043209A), Aug 20, 1983: Piper PA28R200, Fresno, CA, Destroyed. Collided with a brick and iron fence on short final. Previous owner was checking new owner out in aircraft.

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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