# NTSB LAX84LA480: Focke-Wulf 44J Stieglitz, N638, Hollister, CA, September 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1984, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Coordinates: 36.890872, -121.239662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8909&lon=-121.2397&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): 24400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA480
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA480

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot

## Analysis

THE TWO COMMERCIAL RATED PILOTS WERE FLYING TOGETHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING PROFICIENCY SO THAT ONE OF THE PLT'S COULD PASS HIS BFR. THE ONE PLT WHO WAS NOT CURRENT PERFORMED TREE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS FROM THE FRONT SEAT. THE PLTS THEN SWITCHED SEATS AND THREE MORE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS WERE PERFORMED. ON THE LAST LANDING THE REAR SEAT PLT APPLIED THE BRAKES EXCESSIVELY AND THE ACFT GND LOOPED. THE ACFT IS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FLT CONTROLS BUT ONLY ONE SET OF BRAKES, LOCATED IN THE REAR SEAT POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N638](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N638), registered now, S/N 638, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Focke-Wulf 44J STIEGLITZ (44J STIEGL)
- Registry model: [Focke Wulf 44J STIEGLITZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/focke-wulf-44j-stieglitz) (registry code 3540102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Siemens SH14](https://openairdocs.org/engine/siemens-sh14) (registry code 57001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 638
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: SIEMENS HALSK SH14A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. Mikel,M. Groves,F. Carter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1984, 1 hours before
- Airport: 307, Hollister Municipal, runway 23, 4,350 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,730 total, 11 in this make and model, 3,593 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19840914049039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840914049039A), Sep 14, 1984: Fckwlf 44JSPIEGLITZ, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot applied left brake after landing. Aircraft veered left. Damage to landing gear and wing.

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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