# NTSB LAX83LA401: Piper PA-32-300, N3957X, Bermuda Dunes, CA, August 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1983, 09:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Coordinates: 33.709136, -116.229461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7091&lon=-116.2295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA401
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA401

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Main gear collapsed, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT DURING SHORT FINAL & TOUCHED DOWN IN SANDY TERRAIN A FEW FEET SHORT OF THE RWY. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILED AS THE ACFT STRUCK THE END OF THE ASPHALT RWY. THE PLT HAD BEEN ADVISED OVER UNICOM OF A POSSIBLE WIND SHEAR DUE TO THE WIND DIRECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3957X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3957X-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 32-7640003, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-764003
- Airframe hours: 1686
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIAS 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lyle Knudsen
- Registered owner: B.L.B. Construction, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1983, 38 hours before
- Airport: UDD, Bermuda Dunes, runway 29, 4,030 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 48 in this make and model, 1,160 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19830822042769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830822042769A), Aug 22, 1983: Piper PA32300, Bermuda Dunes, CA, Substantial damage. Entered high sink rate on final. Began correction too late. Impacted a sand dune short of the runway threshold.

## Other investigations on N3957X (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC18LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA069), Sep 3, 2018: Piper PA32 (N3957X), Wrangell, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation after an interruption of oil circulation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

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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