# NTSB LAX84LA457: Piper PA-28-161, N3573X, Truckee, CA, August 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1984, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA457
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA457

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT SHE ROTATED THE ACFT AT 65 KTS AND THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT 70 KTS. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE STALL WARNING HORN ACTIVATED. THE PLT LOWERED THE PITCH ATTITUDE, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A TREE STUMP. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 8200 FEET. THE ACFT WEIGHT WAS CALCULATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY 383 LBS BELOW MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3573X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3573X-1997-03-06), registration cancelled 1997-03-06, S/N 288016194 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016094
- Airframe hours: 1921
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Redwood Aviation, doing business as Let'S Fly, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gary D. Clifton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 1984, 21 hours before
- Destination: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 19, 3,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 87 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK

## 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 19840826043409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840826043409A), Aug 26, 1984: Piper PA28161, Truckee, CA, Destroyed. Stalled after liftoff. Pilot lowered nose but drifted and gear hit stump. Density altitude 8200, engine not leaned.

## Other investigations on N3573X (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 LAX91LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA267), Jun 21, 1991: Piper PA 28-161 (N3573X), Auburn, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S USE OF AN EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED FOR THE FINAL APPROACH, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INITIATE A GO AROUND WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD LAND LONG ON THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR…

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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